Iconic leisure centre 'airbrushed' from new signs

Campaigners say the Oasis leisure centre has been "airbrushed" from new signs

Campaigners are unhappy that a town landmark has been "airbrushed" out of new visitor signs.

The signs include many of Swindon's best-known spots but do not mention the iconic Oasis leisure centre, which is a listed building.

Oasis has been closed since 2020 but a group campaigning for its reopening said it deserved as much recognition as other buildings on the sign and called its exclusion "ridiculous".

Swindon Borough Council said the signs will be updated when Oasis reopens.

The new signs have been put up in Swindon town centre as part of improvement works to railway village and heritage action zone.

They feature landmarks like the Health Hydro, the David Murray John Tower and the Mechanics' Institute.

The Oasis building is described as Northstar Development on the signs and campaign group Save Oasis Swindon said that this amounted to "airbrushing the listed building from the map".

“Oasis should be given as much street cred as all the other listed buildings. Closed or not closed," the group said.

The leisure centre has been shut since 2020 and needs a multi-million pound refurbishment before it can open.

Oasis has been closed since 2020 and needs a multi-million pound refurbishment

In a social media post, Save Oasis Swindon said: “Yes, the Oasis is closed currently but it is a grade II listed landmark. Why has it been airbrushed from Swindon’s map? Ridiculous."

Heritage campaigner Angela Atkinson added: “The Oasis is listed and is as much heritage as the mechanics’ and the Health Hydro."

Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of the council, has said he would be "happy to make sure that the signs include the Oasis once it reopens".

A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said Historic England had provided funding for the signs, which are designed to celebrate Swindon’s heritage and help visitors.

They added: “As well as highlighting historic sites and key landmarks, the signage is also designed to be changed and updated as Swindon and the area evolves in the future.

“These updates will include the Oasis development when it is complete and the leisure centre will be a prominent feature when re-opened.”