OVERVIEW & TRENDS
TOTAL MARKET
of the total UK population live within 2 miles of a swimming pool 83.1 %
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83.1% of the total UK population live within two miles of a swimming pool, compared to 83.4% in 2022. However, our research for this report indicated changing trends in pool access; while pool numbers might not have declined as much as one might have expected, in some cases access is more limited than previously. For example, in the public sector, some school pools that pre-COVID were also open to the public are now limited to in-school use only. Similarly at some hotels, access has been narrowed to hotel guests only. Originally enforced by pandemic restrictions, these changes in model have remained in place as operators struggle to justify the additional costs involved in a return to the old ways. It is also the case that many operators are upping the ante on swimming lessons, both to meet surging post-pandemic demand and to maximise revenues to keep pools viable. While all those we interviewed are working hard to strike a balance to continue to meet the broader needs of the local community, there will inevitably be an impact on casual pool access as more time is allocated to lessons. We explore this topic on the next page…
Changes in model remain in place as operators struggle to justify the costs of the old ways.
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STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2023
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