Morpeth Leisure Centre

‘A sophisticated example of how welldesigned co-located facilities can strengthen and champion diversity within a local community.’

Morpeth is a bustling market town known for its cosy yet varied retail offering. Previously, its community facilities were scattered across different buildings, lacking both quality and cohesion. The new centre has transformed this landscape by bringing together a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities. It also includes a two-storey library, children’s play areas, adult learning spaces, flexible event areas, and front-of-house customer service zones—all delivered on a highly constrained site located in a flood zone at the edge of a conservation area. This development has helped activate a quieter, more fragmented part of town.

Six months after opening, a facility review by Active Northumberland reported a 200% increase in participation in swimming, gym, and studio classes, along with a 165% rise in the use of community facilities. According to Visit Northumberland’s 2023 metrics, the centre has also contributed approximately £599,000 in additional spending in the town centre. As retail and commercial spaces continue to adapt to the post-COVID landscape, centres like this are emerging as pivotal anchors for the evolving UK High Street.