Active Lancashire Competitors

We’re a worker-owned co-operative and charitable social enterprise that helps local people across the UK lead healthier, happier lives. Our journey began in 1993 as a groundbreaking co-operative initiative in Greenwich, where we became one of the UK’s first leisure services to spin out from local authority control into an independent charitable social enterprise. This innovative model combined commercial efficiency with strong social purpose, creating a template that would reshape public service delivery across the UK. Today, we manage almost 400 public service facilities nationwide, including leisure centres, libraries and cultural venues. We’ve maintained our commitment to social value while continuously adapting to meet evolving community needs. Because our staff have a stake in the organisation as a co-operative, they are directly invested in its success. We're also proud to offer good job opportunities with fair pay, excellent career development, and apprenticeships, particularly in parts of the UK where these opportunities are most needed. Our impact extends beyond traditional leisure services to encompass public health, education and cultural engagement. Through strategic partnerships with local authorities, NHS England, and national organisations, we’ve pioneered evidence-based approaches that deliver measurable social value while maintaining financial sustainability. For over 30 years, we have sought to challenge ‘the norm’ and to show how values-driven, social entrepreneurship can work effectively with government, health professionals, sport and library leaders.

We want everyone to feel able to take part in sport and physical activity, regardless of background, age or ability. Investing funds from the Government and The National Lottery.

British Cycling is the national governing body for cycling as recognised by the UCI – the international federation for the sport. Based in Manchester at the National Cycling Centre, British Cycling works across all levels and six disciplines of the sport (BMX, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-Cross, Road, Track and Cycle Speedway), from providing the support and encouragement people need to get riding their bikes for the first time, to being home to the hugely successful Great Britain Cycling Team. Continued success at the highest level is inspiring a boom in participation across the nation. There have never been more opportunities to ride a bike, be it for fun or sport, and British Cycling is at the heart of this growth. British Cycling also works hard to represent cyclists’ interests at all levels, including campaigning on important issues including road safety. As a membership organisation, British Cycling provides a suite of benefits and support to its members who currently number 130,000. All membership revenue is invested back into cycling.