MP for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, Alex Mayer, visited Leighton Leisure and Community Centre on Thursday, September 10 to highlight the vital role health and leisure facilities play in improving the health and wellbeing of the local community.
During the visit, Alex Mayer was given a tour of the state-of-the-art centre and spoke to Everyone Active colleagues about National Fitness Day, which took place on Wednesday, September 16. Everyone Active runs the centre on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council.
Demand for gyms, pools and leisure centres 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.
National Fitness Day is coordinated by ukactive, the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector. As part of the day, 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.
Gary Foley, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “It was a pleasure for our team to show MP Alex Mayer around the fantastic facilities at Leighton Leisure and Community Centre, which have been hugely benefitting the health and wellbeing of the local community since launching in June. No matter what your age, interests or ability, there is an activity for you here.”
Speaking at Leighton Leisure and Community Centre, Alex Mayer MP said: “With these bright and airy new facilities, it’s easy to see why more and more residents are coming through the doors.”
Councillor Steve Watkins, Executive Member for Assets, Business and Housing at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “The response to the new Leighton Leisure and Community Centre has been fantastic. Since opening in June, fitness membership has grown by 57%, while monthly visits have increased from around 31,000 at the previous centre to more than 56,000.
“These figures show just how much local people are embracing the new facilities. It’s a great example of how investment in high-quality leisure provision can encourage more people to get active and support the health and wellbeing of our communities.”
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 ukactive, click here.