Sports trust Freedom Leisure, in conjunction with Greenwich Leisure (GLL), has today (1 July 2009) taken over the management of leisure facilities in Mid Sussex.

The trusts won the five-year contract earlier this year and today take over the operation of Mid Sussex District Council's three Olympos leisure centres in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath, as well as Clair Hall and Martlets Hall.

Freedom Leisure's managing director, Jeff Hart, said: "We are delighted that our bid to manage the superb Olympos leisure facilities and entertainment venues across mid Sussex was successful.

"We have been working closely with the existing teams and place great emphasis on forging and developing strong links with the local community. We offer excellent value for money and revenue savings for local authorities and surpluses are reinvested in facilities and equipment."

Freedom Leisure and GLL have worked together on a number of projects - including the management of the K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley.

Chris Symons, GLL's director of development, said: "GLL is delighted that our partnership with Freedom Leisure has been extended to Mid Sussex. The combination of two of the countries' leading social enterprises will take what is already a very good service into a new and successful phase of development and increased participation."

Photograph: (l to r) Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) Cllr Garry Wall, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Sustainability; Jeff Hart, Managing Director of Freedom leisure; Cllr Gordon Marples, Leader of MSDC and Chris Symons, Director of Development for GLL.