Gravesham council hopes to reopen Fleet Leisure centre “as quickly as possible”, it said this week.

More than 20 people worked at Fleet Leisure and Sports Club in Nelson Road, Northfleet, which closed last Monday.

The grounds and buildings, owned by Gravesham council, have yet to be surrendered to the authority – meaning it cannot do anything at present and is now subject to negotiations.

Gravesham council chief executive David Hughes told the Messenger: “A number of expressions of interest to take over the lease have been referred to us by the administrators, none of which were acceptable as they did not offer a sustainable long- term solution.

“The leader has authorised officers to pursue an interim solution that will allow the facilities to be re-opened as quickly as possible, although there will undoubtedly be a period of closure.

“An inspection has revealed the site is in poor condition and catering and bar equipment has been removed, which will need to be replaced before the facilities can be properly operated.”

Fleet Leisure Ltd went into administration in April, with FRP Advisory appointed as administrator, after a recent “deterioration in trading conditions”.

The site has been a sports facility for 81 years.

The business continued to trade while it was up for sale, though plans by Ebbsfleet Football Club to buy it fell through in July.

In 2005 former owner Kimberley-Clark sold the site, which was then Beauwater Leisure, to Gravesham council while Fleet Leisure took on the lease.

Mr Hughes added: “We are confident an interim arrangement is possible and this will enable a long-term sustainable solution to be pursued.

“Whilst the failure of Fleet Leisure Ltd is to be regretted, it does provide an opportunity to seek a better arrangement that will see the facilities improved and properly maintained which, from our inspection, has not been the case for a substantial period of time.”

A statement from administrators FRP Advisory said: “Following the appointment of Jason Baker and Geoff Rowley as Joint Administrators of Fleet Leisure Limited on April 3, the leisure centre continued to trade and was offered for sale.

"Unfortunately, despite initial interest from certain parties, the Joint Administrators were unable to affect a sale because it was not possible for a potential purchaser to agree terms with the landlord.

"The consequence of this was that the Joint Administrators had no alternative other than to close of the centre on September 2 and make the remaining employees redundant"