Places Leisure welcomes Caroline Nokes MP at Charlton Lakeside

During the visit on Monday (17 August), Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP was given a tour of the facilities where they met with staff and visitors as well as finding out more about the initiatives and programmes Places Leisure delivers within the wider community. 

Demand for leisure facilities continues to grow across the UK, with a record 12.2 million people now members of a health and fitness club, according to the UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026. 

This visit highlighted the role MPs and policymakers can play in championing the value of physical activity and supporting fitness and leisure facilities so more people can enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of moving more.   

The visit comes ahead of National Fitness Day on 16 September, which is coordinated by ukactive, the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector. The campaign will see thousands of gyms, pools, leisure centres and sports clubs across the UK host free activities to help people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to try something new and take the first step to a more active life. 

Ian Slouch, General Manager at Places Leisure, said: “We were thrilled to welcome Rt Hon Caroline Nokes to our Charlton Lakeside facility. Previously we welcomed Caroline to Romsey Rapids Leisure Centre which we also operate and manage on behalf of Test Valley Borough Council. It was great to showcase another facility in the area which brings provides different activities to the local community than your typical leisure centre. Charlton Lakeside offers a range of outdoor activities for the whole family and the wider community.” 

Rt Hon Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, said: “It was great to visit Charlton Lakeside and see first-hand the range of activities available to people of all ages. Facilities like this play an important role in helping people stay active, spend time outdoors and support their wider health and wellbeing. 

I was particularly impressed by the Big Sister project and the work being done to encourage more girls to feel confident taking part in physical activity. It was encouraging to see the work Places Leisure is doing across the community, helping more families and young people to get active and enjoy the benefits that brings.” 

Cameron Saunders, CEO of ukactive, said: “It’s great to see MPs visiting their local gyms, pools and leisure facilities so they can witness first-hand the impact ukactive members are having on the mental and physical wellbeing of their communities. 

“Through supporting our mission of more people, more active, more often, fitness and leisure facilities are helping millions of people lead healthier, happier and better-connected lives.” 

To find out more about Places Leisure, click here. 

To find out more about ukactive, click here.