8th February 2026
With reporting from the Manchester Evening News
Anger and frustration spilled over at a packed public meeting after Stockport Council confirmed it will sell Stockport Sports Village, prompting fears over the loss of vital community fitness facilities and the impact on local residents and businesses.
Around 50 people gathered at Woodley Civic Hall on Thursday, February 6, to voice their concerns about the decision, which will see the Woodley-based sports complex transferred to Stockport County Football Club from April 1. As part of the move, the public gym and studio classes currently operated by Life Leisure are set to close.
According to the Manchester Evening News, emotions ran high as residents challenged councillors over what many described as a lack of consultation and transparency. Several speakers accused the council of making the decision “behind closed doors”, with one resident questioning whether people would now be forced to travel to Romiley or Marple to access gym facilities.
Local independent councillor Joe Barratt acknowledged the strength of feeling in the room, saying residents were understandably angry about the loss of facilities in an area already facing poor health outcomes. He said councillors were seeking assurances that public access to sporting facilities would be protected and that any proceeds from the sale would be reinvested into the local community.
Concerns were also raised about the impact on mental health support and local businesses operating from the site. One resident highlighted uncertainty around the future of an Andy’s Man Club group that meets at the Sports Village, while another business owner told the meeting she feared job losses and said attempts to contact the council had gone unanswered.
Personal trainer Johnny McDermott, who has worked at Stockport Sports Village for more than 13 years, told the meeting the decision had put his livelihood at risk. He said he had been given just eight weeks’ notice and warned that many of his clients — including elderly residents and those without transport — would struggle to travel elsewhere.
“People are angry, really angry,” he said, according to the MEN. “Some people simply can’t get to another gym.”
Under the agreement, Stockport County Football Club will take over the running of the site, which will become a central hub for the club’s academy, women’s teams, football education programmes and community activities. The council said staff would transfer under TUPE arrangements or be offered alternative roles within Life Leisure.
Stockport Council said the sale price is commercially sensitive but will cover borrowing taken out when the authority acquired the site in 2022. It added that Life Leisure will support members in moving to other facilities, including Life Leisure Romiley and the new Marple Hub, due to open later this year.
Council leader Mark Roberts said the decision would support long-term investment in young people, education and community sport, while Stockport County’s non-executive chairman Ken Knott described the move as a “milestone” that would allow the club to plan for the future.
However, for many residents at the meeting, reassurance from officials did little to calm fears that a valued local facility is being lost without adequate alternatives.
This article is based on reporting by Declan Carey for the Manchester Evening News.
