OVERVIEW & TRENDS
TOTAL MARKET
NO DATA 2020 & 2021 DUE TO COVID-19
2019 2022 2023 % vs 2022
-1.8 %
2,955
3,170 3,008
Total number of sites with pools
-0.8 %
Total number of pools
4,351
4,559 4,386
-2.6 %
Private clubs with pools
1,309
1,468 1,344
-1.1 %
Public centres with pools
1,646
1,702 1,664
“Some of the smaller independent pool operators in particular are relying on that funding to keep them afloat. They’ve told the banks it’s coming. It’s been one of the biggest frustrations of the past 12 months.” For some, it is already too late. Even in the week this report was compiled, Manchester Evening News reported on the closure of three facilities in Tameside, stating: “Active Tameside says it has been left in an ‘unenviable position’ after being stung by rising costs, while Tameside Council insists it cannot afford to pick up the bill and rescue the sites.” With this in mind, what’s surprising in our 2023 figures is that we haven’t seen a more significant decrease in pool numbers: there’s been less of an overall reduction in pool stock over the past 12 months than in the year directly following COVID. It is, however, almost inevitable that rising costs will cause more casualties. It is also important to note that the figures in this report include pools temporarily closed but slated to re-open. The coming 12 months will be critical as big decisions are made on the future of pools across the UK.
In the 12 months to the end of March 2023, the total number of UK sites operating a pool fell to under 3,000 (-1.8% compared to March 2022), with the drop more marked in the private than in the public sector: -2.6% for the private sector versus -1.1% for the public sector. The continued downward trend is sadly to be expected given the very significant repercussions of persistently high energy costs. Indeed, leisure trust GLL says the rough cost to heat and treat a 25-metre pool has gone up from about £100k to about £250k a year, making this one of the most challenging areas of leisure facility operation in terms of hiked energy costs. Neither has government support been forthcoming at the time of writing this report; the application process for the funding announced in March – originally £63m, now £60m – has has only just been opened up.* “A year too late,” says Steve Bambury, COO at 1Life. “The peak of the energy crisis was during the winter of 22/23 and only now are potential funds available to apply for, with no guarantee of an award.” GLL CEO Peter Bundey explains: “We lobbied hard to get government help for the sector, campaigning on all fronts to save swimming pools as operators and local authorities were taken to the brink of affordability. Eventually government said it would give £63m – not a huge amount, but something – yet nobody’s seen a penny of it.
*www.sportengland.org/guidance-and-support/facilities-and-planning/ swimming-pool-support-fund
19
STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2023
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator