England has lost almost 400 swimming pools since 2010, with the most deprived areas hit hardest, according to an analysis of Sport England data by The Guardian. The national body for swimming, Swim England, has called for urgent investment, warning that the pandemic and rising energy costs have accelerated a decade-long decline.
The net loss of 382 pools includes local authority, community, private health, school, and sports club facilities. The closures have resulted in an estimated £1bn loss of social value through health and community benefits. In council areas with the highest health-related deprivation, the number of pools fell by 14% over 12 years, compared with 6% in the least deprived areas.
Hartlepool, one of the most health-deprived areas, saw six of its 12 pools close since 2010, including three at schools and three at gyms or community centres. Since 2019, 85 pools have closed and not been replaced, with the number closing for financial reasons doubling compared with the three years before the pandemic. Brighton and Hove lost four pools since 2019, the most of any local authority.
UK Active has urged the government to extend its energy bills discount scheme to leisure centres, warning that 31% of council areas are at risk of losing centres or seeing reduced services from 1 April. Net local government spending on sports and leisure fell by 37% in real terms between 2010-11 and 2021-22. Swimming activities generated about £375,000 in social value per site last year, totalling over £1bn in lost benefits from closures since 2010.
A Swim England spokesperson said: “Across the country, many pools are coming to the end of their lifespan or have already closed, and soaring energy costs are placing many more at risk of closure or service reductions. There is therefore an urgent need to invest in providing the pools our communities need.” A government spokesperson highlighted an £18bn support package for organisations including clubs and leisure centres, and £1bn for the sports sector during the pandemic.
