More than 300 home visits are planned for the next month in the Wisbech area to encourage people to join their local gym.

Cambs Times: George CampbellGeorge Campbell (Image: Archant)

The move is part of a Fenland District Council initiative to get more people to go to the New Vision Fitness Hudson Leisure Centre in Wisbech, Manor Centre in Whittlesey, George Campbell in March and Chatteris Leisure.

A report, which will be presented to council on Thursday, says they will specifically be targeting people aged between 55 and 65, while also looking to attract middle aged people and health conscious older children.

Since May, as part of an outreach project, council workers have visited nine businesses, including Tesco in March and Frankie & Benny’s, Morrisons, B & Q and the Luxe cinema in Wisbech, recruiting 37 new members.

They also attended the March Summer Festival, Chatteris Mid-Summer Festival and Alderman Jacobs School.

In total, 2,500 fliers have been sent to addresses in the Wisbech area.

In April and May, there were 151,896 visits, of which 139,254 were paid, to the four leisure centres - 9,757 to Chatteris, 30,018 to March, 59,494 to Wisbech and 52,627 to Whittlesey.

The four gyms have 2,781 members, but the Hudson, due to increased competition, has had difficulty stopping drop-outs.

During this time, 183 customer feedback surveys were filled in at the council’s gyms, with 80 per cent of respondents saying they were satisfied with the service.

Concerns were raised about cool pool water in the Hudson centre, which has been resolved, and changes to membership packages.

Gym-users can also have their say on the gyms by visiting the New Vision Facebook page. Feedback received will be used to improve services.