Leisure contractors operate and manage local leisure centres on behalf of local councils. The leisure contractor brings large-scale experience in leisure operational achievement, activity expertise, service excellence, colleague development and management skill, and has an ability to deliver value for money as well as increasing participation.

What's unique about the leisure contractor is their ability to manage varied and different local authority contracts across one estate. Typically, their structure enables services to be delivered flexibly and effectively to meet the varying needs of the local authorities. Gladstone Health & Leisure supplies SLM, Leisure Connection and Parkwood, representing 60% of all UK leisure contractors.