A new company has been formed to run Cheshire West and Chester's sports, leisure and entertainment venues across the borough.

Brio Leisure is the first leisure based Community Interest Company in the UK and has initially been given a contract until March 2015 to manage 17 of the council's leisure sites, including 11 leisure centres, three golf courses,  and three entertainment venues. Venues include the Northgate Arena in Chester, the EPIC Leisure Centre in Ellesmere Port and the Winsford Lifestyle Centre.

The portfolio also includes Northwich Memorial Hall, the civic centres in Ellesmere Port and Neston, Christleton Sports Centre, Frodsham Leisure Centre, Moss Farm Leisure Complex, Malpas Sports Centre, Neston Recreation Centre and Rudheath Leisure Centre. The company will also be responsible for the Ellesmere Port Golf Centre, Knights Grange Golf and Sports Complex in Winsford, and Westminster Park Golf Course in Chester.

Around 600 full and part-time and casual staff will be employed by Brio Leisure, a not-for-profit social enterprise company with an emphasis on providing activities for the local community. Previously the 17 venues were either operated by different local authority divisions or through management teams employed by charitable trusts.

Brio Leisure Managing Director Elly McFahn said the new company will improve standards, customer service and look to develop activities and programmes at many of the facilities across its venues. "The business has three distinct aspects; entertainment and conferencing, golf centres and leisure centres. Some of the buildings are relatively old, some are very new such as the Lifestyle Centre at Winsford, but Brio's aim is to create a novel of excellent service and provision for all our customers whichever venue they use.

"Over the coming months the team will be working hard to raise the awareness of who we are, and what we provide, also working with groups and organisations in our community to help everyone achieve a healthier lifestyle. We aim to be right in the heart of the community", she added.

One of the new company's biggest tasks has been standardising the dozens of different membership packages and prices that were previously in force across the different venues. Chairman of the Brio Leisure board of directors, Cllr Bob Crompton, Assistant Executive Member for Culture and Recreation on Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "Our role is to make our public sport, leisure and entertainment facilities the best they can be, fully inclusive and easy to access. We have such a variety of products and services, I am sure the borough's residents will find there is something for everyone.

"We are the biggest and only leisure community interest company in the country. Whether it's a group or individual sporting activity, a theatre production or show, a round of golf or coaching session, a conference, meeting room or even a wedding, we can cater for everything", he added.

The company's Brio name was born out of a desire to portray centres that were full of vigour and vitality. "The name originates from the Italian musical term Con Brio, meaning 'with spirit' and 'with vigour'. We want our name to represent what we believe passionately in - providing opportunities and choices for everyone, whether they use one of gyms or swimming pools or want to see a show or enjoy a Comedy Club night out. We want everyone who uses our facilities to have an enjoyable and memorable experience", said Mrs McFahn.

Operating costs for the new company will be supported by a subsidy from Cheshire West and Cheshire Council. Brio will deliver products and activities to a mutually agreed contract specification with the council. Mrs McFahn added: "We are not in the ball game of competing against private sector leisure clubs and organisations. We are part of a portfolio of products in the market place that allows people to make selections about what to do and where they want to go.

"We are the social provider of entertainment and leisure facilities in the locality and as such we want members of the community to help us improve on what we do. The council has an exciting capital investment scheme for leisure centres planned over forthcoming years. As the operator,  we hope that Brio's contribution in the knowledge of what local people want and need will help shape this for the future", she added.

To mark the official launch of the company on January 9 2012, Brio Centres are inviting members of the community to come and see their facilities and take advantage of specially discounted membership packages. Visitors will also enjoy different promotions such as complimentary passes and a competition to win a year's free membership. Brio staff will also be staging a series of health and fitness challenges including a mass Zumba class with a sparkle theme.

More information about activities at your local Brio Leisure centre appear on the company's website. You can also visit Brio Leisure's Facebook page or Twitter page to keep up to date with what's happening and the latest special offers.