Folkestone Sports Centre Saved by Philanthropic Donation by Sir Roger De Haan

Funds donated by Sir Roger De Haan (pictured), the well known philanthropist has passed on money to The Sports Trust to save the much loved Folkestone Sports Centre, how much has been paid is not yet known, but the sports centre is saved, due to his philanthropy.

Back in Jan 2025 Smith Wooley – Estate Agents – were playing an important role in saving the Folkestone Sports Centre. We thank them for their efforts.

The centre, previously operated by Folkestone Sports Centre Trust Limited, was abruptly closed at the end of July 2024, an event that “caused 144 job losses”. Within days the trust was placed into administration (with the administration formally starting on 1 August 2024), and joint administrators Adrian Paul Dante and Charles Hamilton Turner of Opus Restructuring LLP took charge. In press comments, the administrators acknowledged that the closure had come “as a shock” to the community and that Christie & Co would handle the sale process. By late 2024, all remaining bidders were reportedly intent on reopening the centre, and on that basis the site was marketed for sale (Christie & Co was formally “instructed…to put the sports centre…on the market”).

Background

Folkestone Sports Centre (Radnor Park Avenue- in orange below) had been a long-standing local leisure complex run by the charitable trust. As operating losses mounted, the trustees concluded it “could no longer afford to remain operational,” forcing the sudden shutdown. Opus Restructuring LLP was appointed administrators on 1 August 2024 (confirmed in Companies House records as started 1 August 2024) under the oversight of Mr. Dante and Mr. Turner.

In tandem with administrators’ proposals issued to creditors, the administrators began organizing the centre’s affairs and securing assets. They informed staff and stakeholders of the administration, fulfilled statutory filings at Companies House (including creditors’ notices), and maintained the company’s financial records and bank account. The administrators also attended the site repeatedly to “appraise, secure and (when required) supervise the uplifting of tangible assets” and to liaise with insurance agents, ensuring that the buildings, pools and equipment remained protected. In addition, a small number of recently laid-off staff were retained as subcontractors “to bring the Company’s books and records to be brought up to date” and to help provide information and access for the prospective purchaser.

Financial Overview

According to the administrators’ report (filed 4 Mar 2025), the trust had very limited cash on hand and significant asset value tied up in the property. The Statement of Affairs (filed April 2025) shows roughly £1.868 million in total assets (largely the freehold centre and land) against comparable liabilities, implying that unsecured creditors would recover little or nothing. By the end of January 2025, only about £35,000 had been collected in cash (mostly residual bank balances and a small VAT refund). Most of the anticipated £1.8 million in realizations remained outstanding pending completion of the sale. The attached Receipts and Payments account (Appendix II of the report) details about £1.789 million in total cash receipts versus £1.756 million in payments, leaving a modest residual balance. Principal receipts include the bulk sale proceeds (once received), while payments include bank charges, marketing expenses and legal fees. The report notes that all secured debts (notably taxes to HMRC) will be paid in full from these funds, and any remaining surplus should cover employee and other preferential claims; only a small residual sum, if any, would be available to divide among unsecured creditors.

Administrator Actions

The administrators carried out extensive case work during the six‐month review period. In addition to routine compliance, their primary activities included: informing creditors and stakeholders of the administration; issuing the Joint Administrators’ proposals and notices to creditors; and consulting with and instructing professional advisers on case details. They maintained detailed files and an estate cash book, and regularly reviewed progress to ensure efficiency. As noted, onsite visits were made to secure and inventory assets, and to enable the purchaser’s advisers to inspect the premises. The administrators also compiled financial and historical records and conducted the required statutory investigations. No suspicious or preferential transactions were discovered. The report highlights that the administrators have met many legal obligations (filing notices, holding creditor meetings, preparing tax returns, etc.) which, while not yielding new funds, “assisted in the efficient and compliant progressing of the administration.”

Asset Sales

Marketing of the property was a major focus. Opus had engaged leisure property specialist Christie & Co in September 2024 to market the 11-acre site, which includes the sports centre building, an attached wellness centre (on a separate title) and outdoor facilities. The site was offered for sale “with vacant possession,” since the Trust had ceased trading. According to the report, “the sale has been agreed subject to contract,” with final terms still to be announced. (But we can identify Sir Roger De Haan as the purchaser, though the formal report itself does not name him.) To close the sale, the administrators retained solicitors Brachers LLP. The report states that Brachers were engaged “to assist with the sale; namely, to liaise with the purchaser, their solicitor, and to finalise the draft Sale and Purchase Agreement”. In other words, Brachers handled the final legal negotiations on the sale contract while Christie continued to coordinate potential buyers. No other assets were sold, and no business sale took place (the centre was already closed).

Creditors & Distributions

The report reviews claims received from creditors and the likely outcome. The main creditors are the tax authorities (secured), former employees (preferential), and various trade and unsecured creditors. Administrators expect all secured claims will be settled from the sale proceeds. The Trust’s remaining funds (if any) should cover preferential claims in full – for example, any unpaid wages or pensions – before any dividend to others. Given the matching size of assets and liabilities, the report confirms it is anticipated that preferential creditors “will be paid in full” after secured claims, leaving only a modest “residual amount” (if any) for unsecured creditors. The Joint Administrators held a meeting of creditors by correspondence (October 2024) to seek approvals. Creditors unanimously agreed to key resolutions authorising the administrators to draw necessary funds and complete the sale under the terms described. (No creditor committee was formed, as all proposals were approved.)

Fees and Expenses

Expenses incurred in the administration have been relatively modest. Pre-administration costs (debts the company incurred just before the administration) were approved by creditors at about £30,937, including a £15,000 fee to Opus Restructuring LLP and an £11,835 cost for advisers (Appendix III). Christie & Co’s initial £5,000 marketing fee was noted as unapproved pending retrospective approval. Administrators’ fees have been fixed by creditors on a time-cost basis (Opus’s published rates), with an upper budget of about £97,645 plus VAT for the period. To date, Opus has drawn a relatively small amount (around £15,000), reflecting the short administration and limited tasks. Other professionals have billed as work progressed: for instance, Christie is paid on a success basis, and Brachers initially received £7,000 as an advance fee. Overall, actual disbursements to professionals (agents, solicitors, etc.) are under review but remain low relative to the asset values.

Investigations

As required, the administrators investigated the company’s affairs. This included reviewing board minutes, financial records and transactions leading up to the administration. A few former staff were interviewed to clarify the trust’s position. No irregularities or actionable transactions (such as preferential payments or asset-stripping) were identified. The report notes that there are no current grounds for any claims against former directors or third parties. The administrators confirmed that no substantial unknown assets exist beyond those already identified.

Conclusion

In their conclusion, the joint administrators state that with the sale of the site agreed, the administration has effectively achieved its primary objective. Final steps include completing the sale contract, settling outstanding professional fees, and making payments to creditors. Once the transaction completes, secured creditors—principally HMRC—will be paid in full, with any remaining surplus expected to cover preferential claims. Unsecured creditors may receive a small dividend, depending on final realisations. While it is not yet known when the sports centre will reopen, there is little doubt that it will: thanks to Sir Roger philanthropic intervention, the site has been rescued from permanent closure. The Folkestone Sports Centre is saved—and in time, it will reopen its doors to the public.

The Shepway Vox Team

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