Shropshire Star

Keep Shrewsbury swimming pool in town centre, say Shropshire Council leader

The leader of Shropshire Council has reiterated his wish for Shrewsbury's swimming pool to remain in the town centre.

Published
Shrewsbury Quarry Swimming Pool. Inset: Council leader Peter Nutting.

Speaking at a meeting of the authority's cabinet, Councillor Peter Nutting said he would do what he could to stop the facility moving out of town.

He said: "What I cannot do is give an absolute 100 per cent assurance. What I would say is funding is in place for the time being and I will do everything I can to ensure the facility is in the town centre.

"I will try as hard as I can to ensure that is the way forward."

Councillor Nutting only took on the role as leader of Shropshire Council last month, replacing his party colleague Malcolm Pate following May's local elections.

However, his view on the future of the pool differs from the long-held council position. The authority has previously agreed to close the pool at the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre and building a new one at Shrewsbury Sports Village in Sundorne.

The final confirmation of the decision was put on hold while groups were given 12 months to come up with a plan to keep the pool at the town centre. That situation has now been thrown into doubt following Councillor Nutting's comments.

Shrewsbury Town Council's leader Alan Mosley said he was delighted at Councillor Nutting's support for the pool remaining in the town centre.

He added: "I am also able to commit that the town council will give the maximum support to enable this to be assured."