Runcorn Swimming Pool Closure

Dear Customer
A spokesperson for Halton Borough Council said: “It is with regret that Runcorn Swimming Pool will officially close today, Thursday June 16.

“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts at staff retention and recruitment, it is now impossible with current staffing levels to keep the swimming pool open while providing the level of safety and service required. In recent weeks the leisure centre service has had to close its swimming facilities several times.

“The majority of staff at Runcorn Swimming Pool have been offered other positions and, although we have advertised for casual staff, we do not have sufficient qualified lifeguards to open and maintain services across all Council leisure sites. The shortage of lifeguards is not unique to Halton and it will take time, working with our partners, to increase the number of qualified lifeguards.

“Therefore, the difficult decision has been taken to move all remaining staff to other sites and close the swimming pool.

“All Runcorn Swimming Pool members will receive a refund of their June Direct Debit payment and all future payments have been stopped.

“On 2 March, following the decision by the Council to close the pool, the closure was put on hold for a maximum of six months to give any interested third parties the opportunity to come forward with a costed and sustainable business plan to take over the running of the pool.

“That opportunity has been widely advertised to attract potential interest and is still available. Any interested parties are invited to submit an expression of interest by 1 July 2022 via The Chest (the local authority procurement portal) –
https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ Registration to The Chest is free.

After the closing date the Council will consider the applications and invite any suitable parties through to the next stage when a detailed business plan, including a financial profile, will be required.”

Furthermore, due to the closure, we will ensure that customers who pay by Direct Debit will have their June payment refunded within the next 30 days.
The refund will be transferred back into your bank account using the financial details that we hold for your membership.

Please let us know before the 22nd June, if the financial details that we hold for you on file need to change, contact 0151 4952200 or email francis.edwards@halton.gov.uk

Your membership and direct debit will be cancelled from today and we will not collect any further payments from you.

If you have paid upfront for an Annual Membership we will contact you to arrange your refund/options before 24th June.

If you would like to join Brookvale Recreation Centre or Kingsway Leisure Centre, we will offer you the first month for free.

To take advantage of this offer please contact us, before the 30th June and we can discuss membership option with you:

• https://halton.me/contact-leisure-centres/
• Brookvale Recreation centre 01928 712051
• Kingsway Leisure Centre 0151 4952200

The Active Halton Team would like to thank you for your custom and wish you well in the future.