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Council's leisure centres rated among best in country

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council's leisure centres have been rated among the top 50 leisure facilities in the country and are now officially the top three centres in Kent!  Larkfield Leisure Centre, Tonbridge Swimming Pool and the Angel Centre were all assessed as 'Excellent' by Quest, the UK quality rating scheme for sport and leisure.  Quest is operated by the four national Sports Councils, including Sport England and is the best recognised quality award within the industry, open to sports centre operated by local authorities, leisure trusts and private leisure management contractors.

Larkfield Leisure Centre scored an impressive 91 per cent making it the fourth best centre in the whole of the UK ahead of a number of national sports centres such as Lilleshall and Bisham Abbey.  Tonbridge Swimming Pool and the Angel Centre were also among the very best of the 950 facilities assessed by Quest in Great Britain - both scored 84 per cent.

The Quest award involves an intensive two-day assessment process.  Ahead of the assessment an industry specialist visits the centre as a Mystery Shopper and the resultant report forms part of the overall assessment result.  The two day, on-site assessment covers four principle areas, Facility Operation, Customer Relations, Staffing and Service Development and Review. The assessor reviews systems and records and interviews a range of staff that cover every aspect of the centre's operations and management procedures including health and safety, environmental management, marketing and business planning.  Larkfield achieved a maximum 10 out of 10 rating for the centre's marketing.

The high scores across Tonbridge & Malling are reflective of the Council's desire to retain the management of the centres 'in-house' and continue to invest wisely in the maintenance and ongoing development of each of the centres.  This is backed by professional staff offering a friendly welcome whether you are a regular visitor or a first time customer.  The centres all offer an exciting programme of activity to all ages with attractive and cost effective membership options.  The exceptional combination of facilities and activities ensure that everyone from parent and toddler to the eldest members of our community can find a way to socialise, keep fit and enjoy their leisure time.

Cllr Martin Coffin, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts says:  "It's great to receive independent recognition of the high standards we strive to maintain at our centres for our customers.  This result reflects the hard work of everyone associated with the centres"

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Last updated: 09/06/10 at 12:17:30 Office use only: 1663/2010-10-13