Merseyside Olympian calls on Government to save swimming pools
Picture supplied by Community Leisure UK

OLYMPIC medal winning swimmer Andy Jameson says the Government must intervene to stop crippling energy costs causing a tide of pool closures. The Merseyside sportsman-turned-TV commentator said it was:- "staggering" that Ministers did not seem to see the dangers that venues face; and the damage that could be caused to communities. Former European and Commonwealth champion Jameson, who took bronze in the 100m butterfly in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, spoke out as part of Big Swim Day.

During the day of action, people across Merseyside are being urged to show their support for their local pools by going for a dip, posting a message on social media and encouraging local politicians to take action to highlight the plight of pools.

It is organised by industry body Community Leisure UK (CLUK), which has warned that up to half of pools across the country face closure or service cuts within 6 months unless the Government reverses a decision to stop classifying the sector as vulnerable and removing financial relief on energy bills from:- 1 April 2023.

Former City of Liverpool Swimming Club star Jameson said:- "Hundreds of swimming pools closing all over the country would be a devastating blow to our leisure industry. Local swimming pools are critical to communities as a place where everyone can learn crucial life skills, skills that could be lost for a generation if financial support isn't available. It's staggering that the Government can't see the damage that will be done by removing support to keep these facilities open."

The call is backed by fellow Olympic medalist swimmer Duncan Goodhew, who said:- "This is make or break time for an alarming number of swimming pools across the UK. It's madness that the Government doesn't seem able to see the danger they are in."

Swimming pool operators across the North West are supporting Big Swim Day and its demands on the Government.

CLUK, whose members operate 880 community pools across England, Wales and Scotland, say many venues have seen energy bills triple as gas and electricity prices have skyrocketed.

Removal of vulnerable status will expose them to the full force of those increases, with potentially thousands of jobs impacted.

While it's too early to indicate specific venues where the threat of closure may be higher, industry insiders say the depth of financial concerns generally cannot be underestimated.

Phil Rumbelow, Chair of CLUK, said:- "Without continued Government support, our members tell us that up to half of their pools could close or face service cuts. They simply will not be able to afford to run them fully - if at all. That could mean hundreds of communities being robbed of a pool - potentially putting thousands of jobs in jeopardy. Allowing that to happen would be a national disgrace. Given that our members provide community services at affordable prices, it's the most vulnerable - those already hit hardest by the cost of living crisis and the ongoing impact of Covid19 - who will suffer the greatest at a time when they need support with their health and wellbeing most."

CLUK say pool closures would not only block a route to better public health, but cause an irreparable blow to elite sporting development, losing medal-winners of the future.

As part of Big Swim Day, it is encouraging people to show their support for pools on social media using the hashtag #saveourpools, highlighting the invaluable role they play in communities.

The UK Government's Energy Bill Relief Scheme provides relief for non-domestic users across Great Britain and Northern Ireland by reducing gas and electricity unit prices.

The sector was supported over the 1st 6 months of the scheme, but was not on the list announced for inclusion beyond 1 April 2023.

We would also be interested to know your thoughts on this topic, so please email them to our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.
 

Levi Tafari to become Citizen of Honour