Fusion Lifestyle, which runs the gyms in Tavistock and Okehampton, has gone into administration and will now be run by Parkwood Leisure following a deal with West Devon Borough Council.

Meadowlands Leisure Centre in Tavistock and Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton will remain open thanks to a short-term contract with Parkwood Leisure awarded to it by the borough council.

Cllr Mandy Ewings, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: “West Devon’s communities depend on reliable, accessible leisure services, and we know how important these centres are to everyday life in our borough. A national operator, Parkwood also runs leisure centres in Torbay and North Devon.

“The collapse of Fusion Lifestyle would have caused inevitable disruption, and we have moved quickly to put a stable arrangement in place so that the centres stay open and residents continue to have the facilities they expect and deserve. We are determined to build a more dependable leisure service for West Devon.”

Over several years, the borough council has repeatedly stepped in to support Fusion to keep these centres open but a few weeks ago, Fusion warned that it was likely to enter administration, or possibly liquidation if agreement could not be reached over the funding of the period of administration.

The council and Parkwood are now working closely with Fusion’s administrator to ensure that the centres, their staff, swim school, fitness classes and memberships continue without any interruption and transfer seamlessly over to Parkwood.

Cllr Adam Bridgewater, West Devon Borough Council’s hub member for neighbourhood services, said: “As we move forward, our focus is firmly on supporting our communities and ensuring that everyone once again has access to safe, welcoming and reliable local facilities.”

A list of frequently asked questions is now available on West Devon Borough Council’s website, and Fusion’s website.

Further updates will be provided as soon as more information is available.