Leisure sector in urgent plea to government as new figures show extent of closures

Swimming pools at a leisure centre in ManchesterGetty Images

Eight organisations including Swim England have made a plea to the government to afford swimming pools a higher level of discount on energy prices

By Laura Scott
BBC Sport

More than 350 leisure centres, pools and gyms across the UK have either closed temporarily or permanently or made changes to their services in response to rising energy bills in the past year, new figures show.

The government is scaling back its energy support scheme from April with the leisure sector losing out.

Leading bodies have made an "urgent plea" to the government for financial support and the "failure to identify bespoke support for the sector" will be the "final straw" for certain services.

Eight organisations, including the Local Government Association, Swim England and the Youth Sport Trust, have warned the government "not to take for granted" the role and importance of sport and physical activity.

Their priority plea is that swimming pools are reclassified as "energy intensive" - like museums and libraries - so they qualify for a higher level of discount on energy prices from April.

The bodies warn that unless this change happens "communities will see the loss of essential local services", and "this will impact millions of people, of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds" and "create even more challenges for the NHS."

Figures compiled by the trade body UK Active show that in the past year 29 leisure centres, pools or gyms have closed temporarily or permanently because of rising energy prices.

More than 300 others have mitigated against higher bills, including by reducing their hours, increasing their fees or lowering pool temperatures.

"The evidence we have provided to the government is unequivocal, so we implore it to work with the sector and local government to find urgent solutions to this grave situation," the bodies added in a statement.

In response a government spokesperson said: "We know our grassroots sports facilities are contending with increases in running costs and we provided an £18bn package of support for organisations such as clubs, pools, leisure centres, schools, charities and businesses through the winter.

"We made £1bn available to ensure the survival of sports and leisure sectors during the pandemic, giving councils an additional £3.7bn to deliver key services such as leisure centres and swimming pools, and we are investing £260m to build or upgrade thousands of grassroots facilities across the UK."