THE new man in charge of some of Redditch's best attractions has insisted he can make them even better.

John Godwin, currently head of leisure and cultural services at Redditch Council, has been made managing director of the council’s new company - Rubicon Leisure.

The dad of two, who has lived in the area for the past 15 years, has 27 years ardent service in the leisure and cultural services industry where he started as a casual leisure attendant.

He worked in a variety of roles before becoming head of leisure and community services at Bromsgrove District Council and more recently the head of leisure and cultural services working across Bromsgrove and Redditch.

Now he will be overseeing the leisure and cultural activities which are being run by Rubicon Leisure, in partnership with the council, at the Palace Theatre, Forge Mill Museum, the Abbey Stadium, Pitcheroak Golf Course, and a number of community centres.

He said: “I am excited at the opportunity that the setting up of the new company brings and to further improve our services to local residents.

"I know how well-loved the services we currently provide are and I am very optimistic that we will increase the range and quality of our offer to existing and new customers to make more people more active more often, as we bring forward a range of exciting investment plans and opportunities for the services."

Rubicon Leisure was launched on December 1 and is a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC) with the Council retaining ownership of the buildings.

It’s like a limited company which is owned, and has a business plan, set by the council, but that can act like a private company in certain ways.

The council’s executive board member covering leisure, councillor Mike Rouse, said: “With the backdrop of local government financial pressures, we are looking to work more creatively to continue to provide great things for our residents and visitors to see and do, while balancing the books."

Mr Godwin will start work at Rubicon Leisure from February 18.