Controlling Costs Are Concern For Leisure Businesses

Reduced profitability, limits on future investment and maintaining staff morale are the top three concerns for the UK's leisure companies.

The latest findings of the Alliance Skills Monitor, a quarterly report produced by the Sector Skills Councils, also shows that a quarter of companies have seen their costs increase and a quarter have reduced their staff numbers.

There are signs, however, that the mood within the industry is lifting, with more than a third (36 per cent) of the respondents expecting their revenue to increase over the next three months – more than twice the proportion who expect a decrease in revenue (17 per cent).

A clear majority (70 per cent) expect their staff numbers to remain the same, signalling an end to large cuts in staff numbers.

The report also charted the spending priorities of companies. The top two key areas over the next quarter were found to be training in leadership and management, followed closely by health and safety.

Stephen Studd, chief executive of SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Sport and Active Leisure said: "This quarter's panel clearly shows that training is picking up which is very encouraging.

"While some industries have inevitably suffered in the last two years, there are others such as the sport and leisure sector which are in a growth period and, as such, face potential skills gaps. With the pool of talent out there it is up to employers to provide the training to mould future stars if the sector is to flourish in the future."

Source: sportsmanagement.co.uk