Two leisure centres in Lincoln that abruptly shut down in April are set to reopen by mid-July under new management. The City of Lincoln Council has appointed Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) as the interim operator of Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres following the collapse of the previous operator, Active Nation.

GLL, a not-for-profit social enterprise with over 250 leisure facilities across the UK, will manage both centres on a two-year contract. The council owns the buildings and moved quickly to secure a new operator after Active Nation ceased trading due to financial pressures, citing the energy crisis as a key factor. The council had offered a £500,000 support package, but the charity did not accept the terms.

Since the closure, the Lincoln City Foundation has maintained outdoor operations at both locations. GLL plans to upgrade facilities, replace gym equipment, and recruit staff across various roles. More details on programmes, memberships, and courses are expected to be released this summer.

The transition aims to minimise disruption to residents and maintain local access to fitness and wellbeing services, while providing stability for the council’s broader leisure strategy.

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds has purchased the freehold of its site at Leeds Dock for £11.69 million, which gives the institution complete control of its waterfront footprint for the first time. The deal was funded through a government loan issued via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The acquisition includes adjacent buildings and surrounding areas at Leeds Dock, setting the stage for a major redevelopment push to boost the museum’s economic and cultural footprint. Plans are underway to transform parts of the site into multi-purpose spaces for arts, events, conferences, and hospitality.

The museum, which turns 30 next year, is expected to be more active in regional regeneration and targets increased capacity for events and tourism-related infrastructure. Early projections estimate the initiative could contribute nearly £30 million to the local economy.

The announcement was made during the UK Real Estate, Investment & Infrastructure Forum, which was held at the museum itself. The deal positions the Royal Armouries as a key stakeholder in Leeds’ city centre growth strategy and opens the door for further private-sector partnerships across the cultural and commercial sectors.

Lincolnshire-based construction firm Build Manager is marking the end of its first year in business with a major achievement, securing and delivering its first major commercial contract, a bespoke 4,000 sq ft two-storey office development for IFI Group Ltd in Saxilby. The project, which spans a 25-week contract duration, represents a significant milestone for the young company and demonstrates its capacity to deliver fast-paced, high-quality commercial builds. Since being appointed at the end of 2024, Build Manager has wasted no time. In just over four months, the team has finalised designs, delivered the groundworks ‘in-house’, erected the steel frame and tarmacked the new entrance road. The new office is being developed for IFI Group Ltd, a specialist fire safety, risk management consultancy and training provider, and will support their continued growth within the region. The project has brought together a number of Lincolnshire-based collaborators, including architects LK2, structural engineers William Saunders, aggregate supplier UDCS Ltd, concrete supplier AMS Build Group Ltd, roofing and cladding contractor B C Roofing and architectural windows and door specialist Kole Architectural. Build Manager was launched just over a year ago with a focus on upfront commercial viability advice and streamlined, transparent project delivery. Winning the IFI Group contract marked the company’s first large-scale commercial development and a strong close to year one. “To end our first year in business by securing and delivering a significant commercial contract is something we’re incredibly proud of,” said Matthew Jones, director at Build Manager. “This project showcases what we’re all about, efficient delivery, clear communication, and a collaborative approach. It’s been a fantastic way to build momentum heading into year two.” Build Manager was set up by Lincolnshire-based construction professionals Matthew Jones and Ben Taylor. The pair, who have worked in management for a number of local main-contractors, set up on their own after spotting a gap in market for their services. Matthew, from Scotton, and Ben, from Sturton-by-Stow, Lincoln have been involved in many notable projects in and around the county, including £2.2m new build commercial units (60,000 sq ft) at Discovery Park on Whisby Road – North Hykeham, £3m renovation of Lawress Hall for the University of Lincoln and the new £4.5m Community Ward at John Coupland hospital in Gainsborough, to name a few. IFI Group Ltd shared their satisfaction with the process so far, praising Build Manager’s professionalism, reactiveness, and on-site efficiency.

“From the very beginning, the team has been incredibly reactive, professional, and easy to work with,” said Ben Freeman, director of IFI Group Ltd. “Communication has been clear and consistent throughout, and progress on site has been impressively efficient. It’s been a smooth experience so far, and we’re genuinely excited to see our new office coming to life.” As the office build continues at pace, Build Manager is inviting other local businesses considering new developments or construction work to reach out for some free upfront advice and viability studies. “Whether you’re planning a new office, warehouse, or commercial space, we’d love to hear from you. Our goal is to make the process smooth, stress-free, and successful,” added Matthew. Local businesses can contact Build Manager at info@build-manager.co.uk or find out more at www.build-manager.co.uk.