West Lothian Leisure wins Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award

West Lothian Leisure (Xcite), West Lothian’s community leisure trust, has won the Innovation & Resilience Award at the 2025 West Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, which took place on Friday (28 November) at the Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel, Uphall, to honour outstanding achievements in the West Lothian business community.

The 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 an impressive transformation journey during a time of considerable financial pressure. Despite this, the charity has achieved substantial growth, enhanced community impact, 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 built around four core pillars: market penetration, product and service development, market development, and diversification, leading to the launch of innovative new activities and services. The latter 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 of all of the above, Xcite membership has grown to nearly 23,000, supported by improved targeting through data and insight-driven decision-making.

West Lothian Leisure has continued to invest in modernising its facilities to enhance customer experience and strengthen financial sustainability. Gym expansions at Xcite Whitburn, Xcite Linlithgow and Xcite Bathgate have transformed underused areas into vibrant, high-performing community assets. Participation and customer satisfaction have risen as a result.

The judges were particularly impressed with the charity’s impact on health and wellbeing, 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. These achievements reflect West Lothian Leisure’s commitment to ensuring that everyone in West Lothian can lead healthier, happier and longer lives.

West Lothian Leisure’s internal culture has played a central role in its resilience and innovation. Over the past year, the charity has relaunched its annual employee survey, created new employee and customer-led standards, and introduced “Ask the leadership team” sessions to support open dialogue and empower staff to drive ideas forward.

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.