Securing the future of public swimming pools: A collaborative campaign for investment

In recent months, Swim England has been part of a collaborative campaign to secure vital investment for the nation’s swimming pools. 

With the future of public leisure facilities under increasing threat from rising costs, ageing infrastructure, and funding pressures, the national governing body for swimming has joined forces with local government and sector leaders to make the case for targeted grassroots sports funding.

At the heart of this campaign is a simple but urgent message: swimming pools are not just places for recreation - they are essential community assets that support physical and mental health, tackle inequalities, and reduce pressure on the NHS. Yet, since 2010, more than 500 pools have closed, representing a loss of over 34,000 square metres of water space. Alarmingly, nearly half of these closures occurred in the last five years, and 60% of remaining pools are now beyond their expected lifespans or in need of refurbishment

Recognising the scale of the challenge, Swim England formed a coalition of influential partners - including the Local Government Association, Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association (CLOA), Community Leisure UK, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE), and ukactive - to urge the Government to ensure that the £400 million announced in the Spending Review for grassroots sports facilities reaches the swimming pools and leisure centres that communities rely on every day.

This united front has been instrumental in shaping the narrative around public leisure. The coalition argues that local authorities are best placed to identify where investment is most needed and to ensure funding delivers maximum impact. Councils are already the largest funders of public fitness and leisure services, and directing investment through them would safeguard and enhance the infrastructure that supports physical activity across the country.

Swim England’s campaign has not only been vocal in the media but also strategic in its engagement with policymakers. A recent meeting with the Minister for Sport and senior civil servants at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) provided a critical opportunity to present the case directly. During this meeting, Swim England highlighted the findings of its updated Value of Swimming report, which revealed that aquatic activity generates £2.4 billion in social value annually and prevented 78,500 cases of ill health in 2022 alone.

The Ministerial engagement reinforced the importance of swimming pools in delivering on the Government’s 10-year health plan and its ambition to get 3.5 million more people active by 2030. It also underscored the need for a place-based investment approach—one that channels funding through local government to reach the communities most in need.

Andy Salmon, CEO of Swim England, has been clear about the stakes: “Swimming is particularly popular amongst older age groups, and those with a disability or long-term health condition. If we want to tackle health inequalities and best support a healthier and happier nation, then it’s vital we have a network of sustainable pools for people to access”.
The campaign has also drawn attention to the growing demand for health and fitness facilities, with a record 11.5 million people now members of health and fitness clubs in the UK. However, economic conditions and rising energy costs continue to hamper growth. Without intervention, physical inactivity could rise by 35% by 2030, placing further strain on public health and finances.

Local government’s role in this campaign cannot be overstated. Councils are not only the primary funders of public leisure but also the stewards of community wellbeing. Their involvement in the campaign has been pivotal in demonstrating the real-world impact of swimming pools -from dementia-friendly swims and rehabilitation programmes to school swimming lessons and family sessions.

As Swim England and its partners continue to advocate for sustainable investment, the message to Government is clear: invest in public leisure, and you invest in the health, happiness, and resilience of the nation. The campaign is a shining example of how collaboration between national bodies and local government can drive meaningful change and secure the future of vital public services.

Swim England presented at the APSE Sports and Leisure Network meeting on local authority pools on 8 October. Presentations are available to view here.