Reception

Ah you've met Carol then I see? Well If you're dressed in an appropriate manner (details of the dress code are available from Carol), have filled in the required forms, have all the necessary identification and have had a full health check in the last six months (there will be spot checks) you'd better come in....

Management notice: This Site is about to undergo a major update with the addition of a whole load of new sections and updates to the existing ones.

And as it's Christmas and you can't get them in the shops you'll find your very own Brittas Empire online Advent calendar right here!

What's Inside?? what lies behind the centres twenty-four doors? (online calendar)

The Staff Room All you've ever wanted to know about the staff of the leisure centre (Colin's has been edited for hygiene reasons!) and the people who play them.

The Managers Office Mr Gordon Brittas' guide to life (caution: page contains sound!)...

Employee of the month No trip to Paris for the winner but you could be featured here!

Links What do you mean you want more? I don't know there's no pleasing some people!!! : )

Set in a leisure centre in the fictional town of Whitbury, The Brittas Empire is a superb sitcom centring on one of the greatest comic creations centre manager Gordon Brittas.

Brittas is a visionary, a dreamer, but is unfortunately afflicted by a distinct lack of people skills that he is completely oblivious to. He is always trying his best to help people and make their lives better but quite often his unique brand of diplomacy and , hum, tact ultimately lead to chaos.

The main victims of his Nero-esq manner, other than an unsuspecting public, are Helen his long suffering wife, who after years of putting up with him is now a nervous wreck surviving on a concoction of tranquilisers and his staff (the ones that stayed that is). His deputy managers, the level headed Laura and the ever ailing Colin, Brittas' only true supporter, who's septic hand left a mark on many a visitor. The ever bouncy sports coach Linda who enthusiasm was ever present no matter what the disaster. Gay couple Gavin and Tim who's relationship has been tested to breaking point by the simple fact Brittas had no idea what was really going on between them (and they weren't about to tell him either!). Receptionist Carole who keeps her children in draws behind her desk and Julie, his uncooperative bossy secretary.

The scary thing is that, he is not the only one, he has a twin, vicar Horratio who not only shares in his dream but in his afflictions.

The show ran for an incredible seven year run first airing on 03/01/1991 until finally coming to an end on 24/02/1997. A year later however the show spawned six ten minute specials entitled "Get fit with Brittas" that were commissioned to promote healthy living from 18th July to 29th August 1997. It also featured a sketch in the royal variety performance 1996 and provided several 5 minute stints screened on Children in Need nights.

The series was filmed at Ringwood Recreation Centre, Hampshire. Pictures of the location and others used in the series can be seen in the gallery.

In a recent BBC Poll to find the nations favourite sitcom the series was voted 47th, not bad for a program that's run finished seven years ago!!!!

There are many people that I owe a huge debt of thanks to. Not least to Richard Fegen and Andrew Norriss for actually creating the series in the first place but also to the BBC for commissioning it and anyone and everyone that has been involved in it.

I also whish to thank Jonathan Rice, author of the fantastic book: Gordon Brittas Sharing the Dream which has given me so much inspiration for this site (details of the book can be found in the Centre Gift Shop)

Also everyone who contributes to the Brittas Yahoo groups that I post on for letting me know I'm not the only one out there!