OSWESTRY Leisure Centre has been recognised for its quality with an ‘excellent’ rating from a national sport and leisure scheme.

The site, in Shrewsbury Road, achieved the excellent rating after a mystery visit from the independently accredited Quest ­- the industry standard developed by the UK Sports Council, which acknowledged the centre has excellent measures and procedures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for communities, place, tourism and transport, congratulated those at the Oswestry centre for their achievement.

She said: “We are delighted Oswestry Leisure Centre has received an excellent rating.

“I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone who has helped make it such a success, with a special mention to the centre staff who have managed and operated the centre so effectively coming out of the various lockdowns during the pandemic.”

The Quest Prime mystery visit included a full-day assessment carried out by an industry professional.

Assessors from Quest looked at a range of factors, which included general pandemic management and the approach to engaging with customers who are not using the facilities.

Shropshire Community Leisure Trust manages Oswestry Leisure Centre on behalf of Shropshire Council.

Peter Davis, Shropshire Council’s client officer, said the whole team involved with the leisure centre should be applauded.

He said: “The whole team at Oswestry should be applauded for their hard work, commitment and diligence.

“The assessment was undertaken when the centre was concentrating on recovering many elements of the business, and this achievement demonstrates the true quality and strength within the centre.

“I would also like to thank the staff teams at the other four facilities which the trust manage on the council’s behalf; they have all done an excellent job in difficult circumstances."

Shropshire Community Leisure Trust are closely supported by their managing agent Serco Leisure, and this achievement follows the announcement that Serco Leisure were named outstanding organisation at the UKactive awards in August.

Chris Stanbrook, Contract Manager for Shropshire Community Leisure Trust, said: “I’m very proud of the team at Oswestry for the work they’ve all put in to achieve this accreditation.

“The operating environment for all leisure facilities is a challenging one right now, which makes this high rating even more commendable.”