ABOUT US
Learn what the Framework is, how it works, and what makes it such a valuable tool
What is the UK Leisure Framework?
In addition to project delivery, the Framework offers marketing services including insight, stakeholder engagement, brand development, marketing strategy and launch campaigns, as well as the provision of equipment to enable a true turnkey approach.
Background
The UK Leisure Framework is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL) on behalf of Denbighshire County Borough Council (the Contracting Authority).
Following a stringent competitive procurement and evaluation process, Alliance Leisure has been reappointed as the UKLF’s Development Partner for the new Framework. This continues a successful partnership with DLL that began in 2018, when Alliance Leisure was first appointed as Development Partner, and was renewed in 2022 (FW3).
The UKLF has now been re-tendered for an initial eight-year term (FW4), commencing on 1st October 2026 and running until 30th September 2034, with provision for a further two-year extension. FW3 remains live until 30th September 2027 and existing FW3 projects continue under their current contractual arrangements.
The Framework is overseen by a management board comprising representatives from DLL and Alliance Leisure, supporting its ongoing management, development and performance.
How Does It Work?
Project Scoping (RIBA 0 & 1)
The first, essential, stage of any Alliance Leisure project is to define our client’s requirements, learn about the site, customer base, and indicative budgets and to establish the level of competition to our proposed plans.
A Project Questionnaire and Framework Engagement Agreement (FEA) will be completed at this stage to register the project on the UK Leisure Framework and to determine the scope of pre-construction services.
Project Confidence (RIBA 2)
Aligned to RIBA Stage 2, this stage requires a relatively low proportion of fees (compared to total project value). It provides an interim step for project brief development and agreement before progressing to the next stage of ‘Cost Certainty’.
At the completion of this work, the client will receive a RIBA Stage 2 package of works as detailed in the Fee and Scope provisions, including:
- Concept layouts/designs
- Detailed surveys
- Build cost plan that should be no more than +/- 10% of the eventual contract sum, to be confirmed following detailed design
- Capital investment summary
- Equipment and fee summary
- Stage 2 report
Project Certainty (RIBA 3 & 4)
Following the Cost Confidence work, and to progress to the final pre-construction gateway, Alliance Leisure will develop the proposals to a stage of ‘Cost Certainty’.
This proposal will align the RIBA Stages 3 and 4 in an effective and efficient manner as outlined in the programme appended.
At the completion of this work, the client will receive a full suite of Development Proposals including Principal Contractor, Equipment, FFE, Project Management and associated services, including:
- Development Management Agreement
- Principal Contractor proposals
- Equipment and FFE proposals
- Capital Investment Summary
- Collateral Warranties
- Project Programme
- Risk Register
- Fixed Contract Sum
Project Commencement
Once we reach this stage, final preparations for project mobilisation will be put in place. The Development Partner Agreement (DPA) will become the overarching document between Alliance Leisure and the client for delivery of the project, detailing the final project building and equipment costs and referencing the building contract. Typically work would be contracted using one of the Joint Contract Tribunal (JCT) or (SBCC) UKLF suite of documents.
- Alliance Leisure will enter a delivery and build contract
- Alliance will be the Employer in the building contract, delivering this on behalf of the client team via a standard suite of UK Leisure Framework approved documents
- Warranties are provided by the Building Contractor and all significant sub-contractors and consultants with the client being named as beneficiary
- The timescale will be committed
Construction (RIBA 5)
During the Construction phase (RIBA Plan of Work Stage 5 onwards) Alliance Leisure will remain hands on within the project to ensure its success. Alliance Leisure employs an independent Employer’s Agent through both the pre-construction and construction phases of the project for technical management of the project. All these tasks will be overseen by Alliance Leisure and the client can have as much input into these processes as they require.
Typical EA duties during the construction phase can include:
- Managing the process to execute the construction contract with the approved contractor
- Establishing procedures to monitor design completion and sub-contract procurement
- Overseeing the design completion process and manage contributions from the client and advisors
- Managing construction contract provisions including issuing notices and certificates
- Undertaking regular interim payment valuations and issuing regular cost update reports
- Agreeing variation costs with the contractor
- Undertaking regular site visits and chairing regular progress meetings
- Establishing and administering a robust change control and instruction process
- Establishing a process to obtain regular quality reports from retained client advisors
- Ensuring that all required commissioning and testing is completed, and that statutory compliance is achieved and certified
- Preparing snagging lists including arranging and attending pre-handover inspections
- Issuing the certificate of practical completion
- Agreeing the final account with the main contractor
Completion & Aftercare (RIBA 6 & 7)
Alliance Leisure are fully aware of the often-underestimated importance of coordinating plans for the end of construction to facilitate a successful handover. As Development Partner, we lead and support the planning of these final activities at the earliest opportunity and offer bespoke assistance and solutions to ensure the most successful opening period possible. This phase broadly aligns with RIBA Plan of Work Stage 6: Handover and Close Out.
Typical project management issues that need to be considered during the completion phase are:
- Practical completion
- Soft completion
- Aftercare
- Engagement team involvment
Why use the UK Leisure Framework?
Industry Expertise
We are the UK’s only framework specific to leisure, health, sport, culture and heritage development projects. Projects are delivered by specialists with expertise in the specific requirements of the design, construction and development of these community facilities.
Full Delivery Solution
The Framework is not just focused on delivering bricks and mortar facilities; it adopts a full service approach, supporting all elements that contribute to a successful, sustainable development including design, business planning, funding, construction and marketing.
Further, with Alliance Leisure as your appointed Development Partner, the team are with you all the way through to the project’s completion and beyond. We will help guide you using our expertise to get the very best results from your project, taking on project management items and solutions to make the process as simple as possible.
Driving Value For Money
To deliver value for money, we work in partnership with industry experienced architects and building contractors, introducing ‘buildability’ and programming advice from the outset whilst also encouraging the principles of driving value during design development.
Ease of Procurement
With a process which is entirely led by affordability and the inclusion of a vastly experienced Development Partner to manage the process – from budget, to design, to appointment of the construction team – the route to procurement is made dramatically easier through the UK Leisure Framework.
In addition, working with a Development Partner under the UK Leisure Framework boasts the invaluable advantage of allowing for early collaboration between the client, Development Partner, contractors, and design teams. This has, time and time again, resulted in highly collaborative and efficient processes to achieve and exceed project goals. What’s more, as opposed to the traditional burden of clients having to find and co-ordinate several different companies, this approach allows for clients to have one agreement, and one relationship.
Speed of Delivery
Compared to other procurement routes, the UKLF has proved to get projects to start on site quicker, avoiding potential inflationary costs and enabling revenue to be generated from new facilities sooner.
Community Benefits & Social Value
To deliver value for money, we work in partnership with industry experienced architects and building contractors, introducing ‘buildability’ and programming advice from the outset whilst also encouraging the principles of driving value during design development.
Developing Sustainability
To deliver value for money, we work in partnership with industry experienced architects and building contractors, introducing ‘buildability’ and programming advice from the outset whilst also encouraging the principles of driving value during design development.
Who can use the UKLF?
The UK Leisure Framework is available to all UK public sector organisations as identified below.
Request an Access Agreement or a call-back to help you get started
