Swimtime set to make a splash with contract wins

SWIMMING lessons operator Swimtime is confident of making a splash in 2014 after agreeing a number of new contracts.

The business, based near Manchester Airport, is already the UK’s largest independent provider of swimming lessons, has won two new contracts with Marriott hotels in the North West.

The additions of the new  sites, Marriott Hale Barns and Marriott Worsley Park, will see the business increasing the number of swimming lessons it delivers nationally increase to 15,000 per week in the new year.

The company expects to turn over £4m in 2014 through a combination of rolling-out lessons in small independent pools and large hotel and leisure brands.

Swimtime, a family firm led by husband and wife Barry and Linda Price, is in the process of taking over a  number of swimming programmes in Marriott sites across the UK, as the leisure group looks to standardise the provision of lessons in its health clubs.

Mr Price said: “We already have a solid foothold in the  North West and the addition of two more reputable hotels will allow us to meet the constant demands of parents who want to ensure their children learn lifelong skills that will help them to enjoy water safely.

“We are thrilled that the existing teachers at the site want to remain and work with Swimtime and are confident that our franchisees will make a great success of the new sites.

Swimtime was established in 1997 and has since grown into a franchised
operation that has taught more than 50,000 children to swim across more than 200 sites.  

Mr Price said he is looking for new franchisees and also expects Swimtime to be hiring more swimming teachers too.

He said: “We’re always on the lookout for people  who want to run their own business but they are put off because they feel they will struggle for support and funding.  Taking on a franchise is a great way to be in charge of a business while being able to go to market with a tried and trusted business model and receive marketing collateral, funding support and other advice along the way.

“We are always looking for more teachers and this expansion in the North West means that we will be keen to increase the number working with us sooner rather than later.”