Greenwich Leisure (GLL) and Nuffield Health have announced the formation of a strategic alliance that aims to deliver "significant benefits" to local communities across the UK.

Nuffield Health has withdrawn from public leisure management services as part of the new alliance and will work with GLL to develop a "clinically-led" health improvement service. The new arrangement will see GLL take over the operation of 15 leisure centres across four local authority partnerships from Nuffield Health.

GLL has now taken over responsibility for two venues owned by the City of York Council and three Reigate and Banstead Borough Council facilities. Three facilities belonging to the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and seven in the City of Westminster have also been affected by the changes.

GLL director of development Chris Symons said: "Both organisations are founded on not-for-profit, charitable principles and are recognised as industry leaders both in terms of delivering high quality public leisure services and excellent standards of customer care. "The agreement sees GLL consolidate its position as the leading provider of leisure services within London and the South East and builds on the company's expansion across the Thames Valley region, following its merger with Nexus Leisure in 2010."

Marcus Powell, managing director of corporate and community fitness at Nuffield Health, added: "[The partnership] see the development of additional services that the public will be able to access through local leisure centres." Image: Donyngs Recreation Centre in Redhill is one of the leisure centres to transfer to GLL