Wednesday December 3rd 2025
Members of West Lothian's Xcite gym
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
West Lothian Leisure which runs the Xcite centres has won the Innovation & Resilience Award at the 2025 West Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
An event to honour outstanding achievement in West Lothian’s business community took place last week at the Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel, Uphall.
The community leisure trust is enjoying something of a resurgence, winning national awards on the back of increasing customer numbers and surging recovery following Covid.
The Chamber of Commerce Innovation & Resilience Award celebrates businesses that have demonstrated exceptional innovation in overcoming disruptions, breaking into new markets, adopting creative methods, investing in staff motivation and development, and embracing technology to strengthen long-term resilience.
West Lothian Leisure’s win reflects its journey during a time of considerable financial pressure. Despite this, the charity has achieved substantial growth and delivered new services that meet the evolving needs of West Lothian residents.
Over the last year, West Lothian Leisure implemented a refreshed commercial strategy leading to the launch of new activities and services. This includes West Lothian’s first indoor Padel tennis court, Pickleball, the new Nourish Café bar at Xcite Craigswood which blends social space with a new income stream, and the Family Fitness Factory classes, which have delivered more than 500 visits since launch.
As a result , Xcite membership has grown to nearly 23,000.
West Lothian Leisure has continued to invest in modernising its facilities. Gym expansions at Xcite Whitburn, Xcite Linlithgow and Xcite Bathgate have transformed underused areas. Participation and customer satisfaction have risen as a result.
The judges were particularly impressed with the charity’s impact on health and well-being, which has grown substantially in 2024/25 with 2,476 health referrals delivered, an increase of 26% on the previous year; 118,207 concessionary visits, an increase of 21% on the previous year and £20.2 million in attributable social value created, a 40% increase on the previous year.
Ben Lamb, Chief Executive Officer at West Lothian Leisure, said: “Winning the Innovation & Resilience Award is a powerful recognition of our staff’s creativity, commitment and determination. our teams have worked tirelessly to deliver new services, modernise our facilities, and support communities across West Lothian. This award celebrates the difference we make every day, and our unwavering ambition to achieve our vision of a happier, healthier West Lothian.”
Looking ahead, West Lothian Leisure plans to deepen its partnerships with health and community organisations, expand digital innovation including AI-led enhancements and continue modernising facilities.
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