News

We love to keep busy! Here's just some of the news we're producing for Big Fish clients. Take a browse or simply search by company from the 'Categories' section

17th March 2026

Trafford Leisiure maximises off-peak pool capacity with virtual aqua pilot

Trafford Leisure has launched a pilot of Hydrohex, a Finnish virtual aqua fitness system, at Stretford Leisure Centre. As one of the first community leisure trusts in the UK to adopt the technology, Trafford Leisure is using these virtual-led classes to expand its pool programming and bridge the gap caused by the national shortage of aquatic instructors. The 12-month pilot allows Stretford Leisure Centre to offer a more consistent and varied aquatics timetable by adding automated,...

13th March 2026

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026…

To mark International Women’s Day, BC SoftWear’s founder Barbara Cooke talks about her journey from selling software to building one of the UK’s most respected names in luxury towels and linens… What first drew you to textiles? Was starting your own business always part of the plan? I came from an entrepreneurial family, so starting my own business was always encouraged. My first venture, when I was just 22, was selling accounting software to small businesses. Within...

9th March 2026

CoverMe to power the International Fitness Showcase 2026

Workforce operating system CoverMe has partnered with the much-loved International Fitness Showcase (IFS) 2026, one of the most popular events in the fitness calendar. Celebrating its 22nd year, IFS will offer three days of high-energy education, networking and innovation at the iconic Blackpool Winter Gardens from 20 - 22 March. The CoverMe International Fitness Showcase continues to set the global stage for fitness talent and brands, attracting almost 8,000 leading instructors, presenters and innovators from around...

5th March 2026

Parkwood Leisure’s Downham Health & Leisure Centre reports record exercise referral attendance with digital platform

Parkwood Leisure’s Downham Health & Leisure Centre is seeing record attendance on its Steps to Health exercise referral programme after switching from paper-based processes to a fully digital system, dramatically improving service efficiency and patient outcomes. Since adopting ReferAll, the UK’s leading exercise referral platform, patient engagement has soared while staff have been freed up to spend more time supporting clients directly. In just four months, initial assessment attendance rates have nearly doubled, rising from below...

4th March 2026

CoverMe and FitIQ partner to deliver career-ready fitness professionals

A new partnership between workforce operating system CoverMe Fitness and forward-thinking education provider FitIQ Education aims to address the ongoing disconnect between certification and work-ready fitness professionals. By supporting instructors earlier in their career journey and guiding them as they enter the industry, the collaboration will help to provide a pipeline of confident and connected fitness professionals ready for the workplace. Lou Crossland, chief commercial officer, CoverMe, says: “This partnership ensures learners enter the industry ready to...

4th March 2026

CoverMe launches first Scottish project with East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust (EDLC) has gone live with the all-in-one team management solution CoverMe, marking the platform’s first project in Scotland. The move is set to improve operational efficiency, reduce class cancellations and enhance the member experience across EDLC’s growing group exercise programme. Delivering more than 315 group fitness classes per week across three sites and a satellite venue, EDLC needed a more automated and reliable way pf managing instructor cover as demand...

20th February 2026

Florence Roby reveals new Genoa Tunic

Leading British-based, family-run uniforms supplier, Florence Roby, has revealed its newest design for 2026 – the Genoa Tunic. Combining the elegance of a wrap style with the modesty and practicality that spa, salon and hospitality professionals demand, the Genoa creates an oriental-inspired look with short sleeves, a flattering V-neckline and a discreet back zip fastening. The Genoa launches in a carefully curated selection of shades: French navy blue, rich burgundy and fern green are joined by...

17th February 2026

C1 Fitness accelerates global growth with Asia App launch

The C1 Network digital platform, which has millions of users globally, has successfully launched its new fitness and wellness app, C1 Fitness, in Asia. The launch marks a key milestone in C1 Fitness’s mission to deliver accessible movement, healthy habits and community-driven wellbeing to its global audience. The launch was supported by Fitter Stock, a leading provider of premium fitness and wellness video content, which created a comprehensive library of 350 ready-made fitness and wellness videos,...

4th February 2026

Horizon Leisure appoints Peter Cheeseman as new Head of Operations

Cheeseman joins Horizon Leisure with more than 20 years of leadership experience in the leisure industry, most recently as National Commercial Manager at Freedom Leisure, where he established a strong reputation for enhancing facility performance and creating vibrant community spaces. His proven track record in the industry is further supported by previous leadership positions as Area Manager for the New Forest and Woking areas at Freedom Leisure and as Business Manager at Active Nation. His expertise...

3rd February 2026

Is swimming teaching one of the happiest jobs in the UK?

New data from a survey conducted by the Institute of Swimming (IOS), the leading provider of Swim England qualifications, highlights swimming teaching as an exceptionally fulfilling career, delivering high levels of job satisfaction. In the survey of IOS members a remarkable 99% of swimming teachers reported their job makes them happy. The statistic is supported by other standout results that also demonstrate the positive impact of being a swimming teacher, with 90% making friends with colleagues...

2nd February 2026

Fitness industry veterans launch Go! Health to bring service and support back to health clubs

Fitness industry veterans, Phil Hall and Pete Evans, have launched a new club that aims to recapture the original spirit of health clubs with service, support and social connection at the heart of the member experience. With a combined 60 years of fitness management and club operations experience, the business partners have created Go! Health, a club specifically designed for adults looking for a supportive and personalised wellness journey. Supported by the UK’s leading exercise referral platform,...

29th January 2026

Village Hotel Club works with CoverMe Fitness to improve operational efficiency

Village Hotel Club is rolling CoverMe Fitness out across its health and wellness clubs to reduce unnecessary admin, improve compliance and free up managers to spend more time in member-facing roles. The partnership follows a successful five-month pilot of the all-in-one team management platform at six Village Health and Wellness clubs. The trial highlighted the significant administrative burden faced by fitness and group exercise managers, who can spend at least eight hours a week (and up...