Leisure in Lockdown - John Peach Interview

As highlighted in my last blog, whilst campaigning to save leisure facilities in Peterborough, notably the athletics track, I joined forces with the former Mayor John Peach. This interview is going to explore his perspective on the issue and why he decided to become involved.

John Peach is a recognisable figure across politics and a key political figure within Peterborough. He has led the Conservative Party in the City, has been leader of the Peterborough City Council and his last role in local politics was as the city’s Mayor. His loyalty to the political system within local politics is apparent, however, in July he controversially made a unique proposition to the City Council! Mr Peach offered his own money to fund the opening of the Peterborough Lido as the facilities operator, Vivacity, had handed it’s operating contract back to the Council.

Tell me about your background in local politics I've always been interested in politics, especially in Peterborough. I've lived here for all my life and 30 years ago I was given the opportunity to stand as a Conservative cllr in the Park Ward. Here I won a seat and was elected to the combined unitary authority in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Since then I have held a variety of roles within the council, including a Councilor, council leader, and mayor of the council. I've also been the chairman of the council committee and the deputy chair too.

What was your understanding of the issues that Vivacity faced? Well ten years ago the Council created a charitable trust to provide the operation of sport and leisure services. There were many advantages for LAs, less people to employ, and the trust could employ specialist people. So, the decision was made to transfer all of Peterborough’s leisure services and staff to form Vivacity. They started with a similar budget to when the Council ran things, but they could raise money in other ways. Vivacity were expected to raise its own money. Over time the Council reduced the investment made in to Vivacity, because of the expectation. Vivacity were expected to run the ship tighter but they were really taking on unprofitable assets, then when Covid came along they threw their toys out of the pram.

Why did you decide to offer your help? I have always been found of the Lido and when I was young I swap for City of Peterborough Swimming Club (COPS). My late mother also taught swimming there, and even as a Councilor I would do some publicity when the Lido opened, for instance I would get the Mayor to push me in for a photo opportunity!

When the situation was unfolding, I could see that they were getting nowhere fast, with the Council saying that they could not open it because they did not official run it, and Vivacity saying that they could not open it because they did not have the money. I decided to give both a kick up the backside and offer a cheque to get it open!

What would you like to see in the future in terms of leisure provision? Outdoor pools never make much money, the Peterborough Lido was the same, so I think there’s a lot to do in making them more attractive. There have been discussions to get a lottery grant for a giant glass roof, to open a much bigger café on the side, and even to have the Lido absorbed into a hotel.

With the extension of Anglia Ruskin University coming to Peterborough embankment there are future opportunities. The regional pool is round the corner so the two pools could share resources, staff and events. The Lido pool is sound but there are issues which paid and voluntary staff there handle well. Things like the heating and filtration system. Whatever happens, we need to get the Lido open for much longer.

Do you think there are lessons to be learnt from this situation? There are definitely lessons to be learnt. The city is unlikely to get these circumstances again but with the future provider, the Council need to ensure that they maintain a good working relationship. For this they could offer a peppercorn rent, good employment agreements for leisure trusts and the providers need to be well connected with the local community. We saw that there were people around locally who were keen to take on the Lido from the Council, but it’s now clear that Aragon Direct Services, who are a trading arm of the Council will be running the facility. The Council are promising a grand reopening sometime next year. I do think that if the Council had put some local heads together we could have opened it this summer.

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This week I will be including some original research from the local communities and service users within Peterborough.