The crisis facing swimming pool operators

It’s been called Poolmageddon. A ridiculous word maybe but one which reflects a far from ridiculous situation. It refers to the growing crisis for the provision of public swimming pool sin the UK (and no doubt similar pressures are being felt throughout the world).

Grim warnings regarding the potential closure of pools have been published in recent months. In September 2021 a report from Swim England predicted that as many as 2000 pools could close by 2030, a reduction of around 40% over current numbers from an estimated 4,336 pools to just 2,468.

The pressures faced by operators seem to keep mounting and there are few options for a quick fix.  During the 1960’sand 1970’s there was a boom in the building of pools.  However, unless these have e been well maintained – and many have not – as they begin to reach the end of their lifespan major investment is required to bring them up to the standards required for modern facilities. This money is frequently not freely available as council finances are stretched to cover other public services.

It is against this back-drop that the impact of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were felt; a period where pools were closed and received no income at all for a significant period and, when the did re-open, regulations regarding the restriction of swimmers allowed in a pool simultaneously curtailed the potential for re-couping the losses incurred.

Additional problems were caused by the war in Ukraine, a country which was a major supplier of chlorine.  In June 2022 the Flitwick Leisure Centre near Stevenage was forced to shut due to the inability to source chemicals and Biggleswade pool had suffered a similar fate previously.

Although alternative supply routes have now largely been established this has by no means seen the end of the woes for pool operators as spiraling energy costs are now taking their toll.  As long ago as June 2022 the problems were laid bare by Iestyn ap Dafydd, the treasurer of Calon Tysul poolin Wales.  He stated that in 2021 the cost for diesel to heat the pool was about 40p per litre.  In June 2022 this had risen to £1.10 per litre. With the pool requiring 1,500 litres each week the energy bill had risen from around £1,800 per quarter to £1,800 per month.  These stark figures are just one illustration of a nationwide picture.

Since then, of course, energy prices have continued to rise and pool operators are looking to government bodies for help.  In August 2022 a government spokesman outlined the support which had already been provided including £1bn of public money to ensure the survival of the grassroots, professional and leisure sectors.  This included a £100m National Leisure Centre Recovery Fund which secured the survival and reopening of more than 1,100 swimming pools.

Impressive top-line figures maybe (I’m not getting into politics here!) but the financial pressures caused by the energy crisis continue to grow.  An Energy Bill Relief Scheme was introduced in a mini-budget in September 2022 allowing businesses to get a discount on gas and electricity prices.  This came to an end in March 2023 to be replaced by the Energy Bill Discount Scheme.  Although this does provide higher levels of discounts for businesses using a lot of energy and classed as “energy intensive”, pools and leisure facilities do not currently fall into this category. 

So what can be done?

The options available are fairly limited and, in the light of the astronomical figures involved, are unlikely to  be adequate in all cases.

Some authorities have investigated alternative energy sources, in particular solar power.  However, whilst in the long-term this may be at least part of the solution for some, the considerable investment required and the relatively long lead times needed to implement such a solution means that this is probably not a viable option for those who have not already embarked on the journey.

Thus, it seems that some sort of cuts are the only practical way of introducing cost savings immediately.  This may come in the form of cuts to overheads or costs to services or, more  likely, a combination of both.  An estimated 17,000 people are employed in the sector. It seems inevitable that at least some of these are likely to lose their jobs in the coming months.  Lighting levels may be reduced and opening times shortened.  In some cases pools may only be open for private hire or club events.  My own experience tells me that the temperature of pools is being reduced which is probably to most efficient method by which to make significant savings.

Finally, swimmers may begin to see price rises in admission fees of at least £1 per session.  However, this is a delicate balance for pool owners. If services and temperatures are being reduced, will the public be willing to pay more for a lower standard of service.  With the financial squeeze hitting households too, relative luxuries such as gym membership and swimming pool attendance may well be forced out of the household budget in favour of essentials such as heating and food.

Overall the position looks bleak and the prospects for the situation to improve in the near future equally depressing.  Without the support of the public by continuing to use pools in high numbers and, more importantly, significant financial investment from central government, it looks likely that the vital network of swimming pools easily accessible by the majority of the public is going to dwindle significantly over the coming months and years.