Call to back petition protecting future of Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre

The e-petition urges Central Beds Council to maintain ‘accessible and affordable’ gym and fitness facilities at Tiddenfoot, which is due to be replaced with a new £33.9 million facility at Clipstone Brook.

The new centre, due to open in the summer, will feature a range of swimming pool options plus a 150 station state-of-the-art fitness suite with a new gym, two squash courts, a spinning bikes studio and two multi-use exercise studios.

But the petition states the town needs two leisure centres to serve both Leighton–Linslade communities fairly – and raises concerns that part of the site could become vacant and encourage anti-social behaviour.

It states: “A growing town needs more infrastructure, not fewer accessible facilities. Leighton–Linslade needs two leisure centres to serve both communities fairly.

“As Leighton–Linslade grows, essential health and fitness facilities must remain accessible to both communities. This petition calls on the council to protect affordable gym and fitness provision at Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre, ensuring Linslade residents are not left behind.”

It also adds that relocating all facilities to Clipstone Park in Leighton creates a major barrier for Linslade residents with travel impacting older residents, disabled people, and those without cars.

The petition adds: “A walkable, affordable gym is more than a fitness space - it supports mental health, reduces isolation, and strengthens community bonds. Losing it would have lasting social and health impacts."

The existing sports hall and squash courts at Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre will remain open for the use of students at Cedars Upper School.

This is backed by the petition which argues: “As the sports hall and squash courts must remain for school use, it makes financial and practical sense to keep the gym and fitness studio operational, rather than allowing parts of the building to decline.

“But without a clear and active plan for continued use, the Tiddenfoot site risks becoming vacant, increasing anti-social behaviour and unmanaged parking pressure, while an active, community-focused leisure facility would keep the area safe, well-used, and positively integrated into the community.”

A Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre member is urging other members and residents to back the petition to retain gym and fitness facilities.

She said: “Central Beds Council has been really vague and not informed us of any potential plans for the future of the building and the car park. I don’t even think the school are aware of any long term plans.

“Ultimately there's a huge membership that are going to be affected – people in Linslade who rely on the gym and fitness facilities at Tiddenfoot for their physical and mental health.

"Like me, many don’t drive and can’t get to Clipstone and there are other, senior or disabled members who live locally and rely on the centre for their wellbeing. The gym is always full, it’s a community hub.

“Many of us can’t afford private gyms so we need the council to retain affordable gym and fitness facilities at Tidddenfoot.

“If we can reach over 100 signatures the council will then be obliged to take it to the next stage.”

You can sign the petition here.