Oxford Brookes University is to give up one of its sports facilities but new operators are being explored ahead of its closure in April.
Brookes Sport announced in December that it will cease using the Harcourt Hill site at North Hinksey from April 2026 as part of its so-called 'Oxford Campus Vision'.
Within this context and the "significant" fall in numbers using the campus site, the university said from April 1 the gym, squash court and fitness class timetable will no longer be available.
A Harcourt Hill Working Group has been set up and met with Brooke’s representatives and learned that "active discussions" are taking place with third-party providers for the potential to run the gym, squash court and exercise classes beyond April 1.
The grass pitches will still be available and the 3G pitches can be block booked via the university after April.
A statement released by North Hinksey Parish Council and the university said: “Oxford Brookes University continues to explore options for potential new tenants for the Harcourt Hill site.
"The university will provide a further update to the parish council as the situation develops, but early indications are that a potential new occupier may not involve a change of use for the site.
"Oxford Brookes will be using its accommodation blocks at Harcourt Hill into the 2026/27 academic year.
"Although its teaching and library activities have now vacated Harcourt Hill, the university will therefore continue to utilise the site until at least July 2027."
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The University announced in December 2025 that it will withdraw its remaining Brookes Sport operations at Harcourt Hill.
The facilities is used by not just university students and staff, but people living in the area, too.
The statement added: "Active discussions are taking place with third-party providers for taking on the running of these indoor facilities, which may mean they can continue to be used beyond 1 April 2026.
"It must be reiterated that this does not include the swimming pool and may not include all of the current activities within the sport centre.
"From April 2026 the site’s grass pitches will continue to be available and the 3G pitches will still be accessible for block bookings via the university.”
Brookes Sports' facility in Cheney Lane, Headington.
Oxford Brookes University continues to scale back what it has at Harcourt Hill; all remaining teaching and library services moved from Harcourt Hill to the Headington Campus for the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
And as of October 27 last year, the Harcourt Cafe is no longer operating as a walk-in catering service.
Accommodation continues to be provided during the 2025/26 academic year and will continue into the 2026/27 academic year.
