Malvern Active boss backs calls for more government support

A coalition of more than 200 groups from the health, sport, fitness and leisure sectors have warned grassroots facilities and clubs are facing the “final straw” without greater support amid the ongoing energy crisis.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the signatories write that thousands of facilities and clubs are at risk of permanent closure or reduced services once energy-costs relief for the UK’s swimming pools, leisure centres, community facilities and gyms ends at the end of March.

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Citing data from industry not-for-profit ukactive, the coalition says 31% of council areas in England are at risk of losing or seeing reduced services at their local leisure centre, with around 350 facilities nationally already having seen service restrictions or temporary and permanent closures since October 2022.

Malvern Active's swimming pool (Image: Malvern Active)

Last month, the Government announced a new 12-month energy support package in which non-domestic customers – including businesses, charities and schools, but excluding leisure centres and swimming pools – would get up to £6.97 taken off their energy bills for every megawatt hour (MWh) of gas they use.

Electricity bills will also be discounted by up to £19.61 per MWh.

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Rob Young, manager of Malvern Active, a leisure facility operated by Malvern College, said it was vital that pools and leisure facilities were also protected.

Malvern Active is used by pupils at the school and also as a winter training base for the likes of Worcestershire County Cricket team, but it is also used by community groups and schools.

Rob Young says Malvern Active is a vital facility (Image: Malvern Active)

“A lot of local authorities are already in a position where they are outsourcing their leisure facilities because of the cost,” said Mr Young.

“We host school swimming galas and also swimming lessons for younger children. We have around 400 children who use our pool to learn to swim and it is a vital facility.

“It's not about becoming an Olympic swimmer, it's about water confidence, and if pools are put in danger because of rising costs, it will have a serious impact on people’s wellbeing and also their safety.”