Charitable social enterprise Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) has taken over the management and operation of eight Cardiff leisure centres.

As part of the partnership agreement with Cardiff City Council, which began at the beginning of the month (1 December, 2016), £4.5m will be invested in the centres.

The Welsh council took the decision to find an external partner to manage the eight facilities earlier this year because local authority budgets were “being slashed”. The deal is a 15-year agreement.

Mark Sesnan, GLL managing director, said: “It’s very much business as usual for leisure centre staff and customers this week following handover.

“What they will notice going forward are the benefits our social enterprise operation brings to these eight centres – through boosting participation and investment in improved services and facilities.

“We know Cardiff City Council have thought carefully about this decision - we intend to do them and the people of Cardiff proud.”

The eight centres are Llanishen Leisure Centre, Eastern Leisure Centre, Fairwater Leisure Centre, Western Leisure Centre, Pentwyn Leisure Centre, Maindy Leisure Centre, Star Centre (Splott) and Penylan Library and Community Centre.