Swimming pools could close due to soaring energy costs

Swimming pools across the country are at risk of closing down because of rising energy costs. 

Lowering pool temperatures and turning lights down are just some of the things gyms and leisure centres are doing to stay running during the cost of living crisis.

In a survey conducted by UKActive, 85% of public pool operators would be forced to reduce services in the next six months to cope with demand.

With little prospect of future government support and as inflation hits a 40-year high, it is feared the entire industry could collapse with the cost of running a pool expected to rise from £500 million in 2019 to £1.5 billion this year.

Even before energy costs and inflation hit the country, leisure centres and pools were facing a crisis.

Half of the country’s 4,000-plus pools were already deemed at risk of closure.

In 2019 it was estimated 1,800 pools would close by 2030 as facilities and centres become more old and expensive to upgrade.

According to Swim England, debts following on from the pandemic along with rising energy costs means this number is expected to increase, and potentially mean pools are at risk of closure.

The chief executive of UKActive, Huw Edwards, said: ‘[Pool operators] are really struggling. They have been trying to put a plaster on this over the past couple of months.

‘But the reality is, they can’t see a way through this unless there is government intervention.’

In a letter to culture secretary Nadine Dorries and communities secretary Michael Gove, a collection of swimming and exercise bodies thought to include Swim England and the Local Government Association called for more action to be taken.

Mr Edwards said: ‘We are saying that discussion needs to happen in the coming days with central government, local government and industry leaders.

‘We need to set out the enormity of this situation and set all options on the table.

‘The shadow hanging over all this is that we are hosting the Commonwealth Games in July and August.

‘We can’t be in a position of celebrating one of the biggest sporting events in the world while community facilities across the country are under the threat of closure.’

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