Brighton and Hove: City's pools face closure over chlorine shortage

Chlorine supplies are being prioritised for two pools in Brighton and Hove

Brighton and Hove City Council has warned that closing the city's swimming pools due to a national chlorine shortage will have a "huge impact".

Supply chain difficulties and shortages are being experienced due to global production issues and the temporary closure of a factory which produces 80% of the UK's chlorine.

Some pools are facing temporary closures as supplies runs out.

It could be some time before deliveries return to normal, the council says.

Chlorine will be prioritised for the city's main pool facilities at the Prince Regent Swimming Complex in Brighton and King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove, so they can be kept open for schools swimming, learn to swim lessons, public and club swimming for as long as possible, a council spokesman said.

Matt Whickham, of Freedom Leisure which runs pools across Sussex and Kent, said: "The impact of Covid is still having a detrimental effect on the manufacturing [of chlorine], in terms of staff and distribution.

"The utility price rises has also made manufacturing unsustainable in some places.

"But the main reason is the planned lockdown of the factories, where they are re-establishing three factories into one."

'Significant'

In Brighton and Hove there is enough to chorine to last until the middle of June, and Mr Whickham says he hopes for a delivery before then.

However the Prince Regent Swimming Complex is undergoing in change of plant operation in June which will mean it is no longer reliant on chlorine, he says.

Swimmers can help to keep pool water as clean as possible by showering before swimming, the council has advised.

Martin Osborne, co-chair of the city council's tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee, said: "We understand that closing our paddling and swimming pools will have a huge impact on our residents and visitors, particularly during the summer months, but without an adequate supply of chlorine, we cannot safely operate these facilities."

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]