Sports trust’s own goal as members leave in droves

LEISURE: New rules over charges lead to £8,500 loss

Angus leisure chiefs have scored a spectacular own goal after sports fans voted with their feet in protest over monthly membership charges.

It has emerged almost 150 members of Angus Alive’s bactive scheme cancelled their subscription in the month after new rules were brought in which left some regular five-a-side players facing an extra whammy of £80 per month.

The cancellations cost the organisation more than £8,500.

Five and seven-a-side football and basketball had previously been included in the monthly charge, but were removed in a move which the arms-length leisure trust said would bring Angus into line with many other Scottish council areas.

Angus Alive bosses have said the bactive membership scheme offers “excellent value”.

Arbroath councillor Derek Wann, who cancelled his membership and has now signed up to a private gym, said: “The cancellation figure for just one month seems a tremendous amount.”

Almost 150 angry customers have cancelled their leisure subscriptions after football and basketball were dropped from their privileges.

After bringing in new rules for the bactive membership, a Freedom of Information request showed 147 people cancelled their subscription within weeks.

The changes mean five and seven-aside football and basketball are no longer included.

Angus Alive, Angus Council’s armlength trust which runs sports and culture facilities across the district, has defended the bactive scheme as offering “excellent value”.

However, it revealed the cost linked to the memberships lost for the month of December was £8,549.

Arbroath East and Lunan Conservative councillor Derek Wann – one of the five-a-side regulars who cancelled his bactive membership – has described the financial hit as “very

“That is a big drop and I think Angus Alive should be very concerned about it. COUNCILLOR DEREK WANN

concerning” and called for action to be taken.

“That is a big drop and I think Angus Alive should be very concerned about it,” said Mr Wann, who has now joined a private health club.

“I’d like to know what the normal falloff rate it, but that seems to be a tremendous drop in just one month.”

Cara Longmuir of Arbroath, who cancelled the joint membership she had with her father, had previously criticised Angus Alive for the “appalling” handling of the charging changes.

She has now been further angered after receiving a letter from the trust saying she is in arrears.

This is despite having written confirmation from the trust’s chief executive confirming she had exemption from the 30-day notice period applied to cancellations.

“The reason I cancelled my direct debit with my bank was in case of a mix-up like this. I wonder how many other former members have received this letter?” she said.

Angus Alive said the move would bring the area into line with many other Scottish council areas, improve efficiency and develop greater opportunities.

A spokesperson said: “Angus Alive is a not-for-profit organisation which means that every penny we make is reinvested back into the services we deliver.”

gbrown@thecourier.co.uk

Councillor Derek Wann cancelled his Angus Alive membership after changes meant he had to pay extra to play football.

Picture: Kris Miller. Councillor Derek Wann is one of 147 people to cancel their Angus Alive membership after rule changes meant he had to pay extra to play five-a-side football.