Protesters hit the streets in battle to save swimming pool

'It’s not just a swimming pool - it’s a hub for the community'

Protesters fighting to save an Exeter swimming pool have taken their campaign on to the streets.

Members of the city council arriving for a meeting at the Guildhall in Exeter’s High Street were confronted by angry swimmers, some in swimming caps and goggles.

Chanting ‘Save Our Pool’ and with the ‘Baby Shark’ song blasting out of their speakers, they urged councillors to reconsider the future of the Northbrook pool.

The council says it may have to close it to save money, claiming the facility is under-used and swimmers have other options in the city.

But users say it is a vital community asset and a place for people to meet. And, they say, it would be better used if it opened longer.

The prospect of Northbook closing was first raised during discussions about the city’s budget earlier this year. Facing a £3.5 million shortfall, council leader Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) said tough decisions would have to be made, and the future of Northbrook Pool could be one of them.

He said that despite improvements, usage had been low, with little improvement in revenue.

Regular swimmers immediately began a campaign to save it, and the Guildhall protest was their highest-profile event yet.

Spokesperson Colleen Natola said: “This is just a small gathering to let the council know that we’re very unhappy with their decision to try and close our only community pool.

“It’s not just a swimming pool – it’s a hub for everybody in our community. It’s a place for people to meet, and people need those kind of places these days. 

“It will affect people’s mental health if they’re unable to go to the pool. It’s just a friendly community place.”

Fellow protester Sarah Hornsby added: “The council says it’s under-used, but in fact it’s not open very much. It closes at three o’clock every afternoon Monday to Friday, it’s only open for two hours for public swimming on a Saturday and it’s closed on a Sunday.

“The time for the general public to go and therefore make it profitable is very little.”

More than 300 people responded when the council carried out a six-week consultation on Northbrook, which included meetings of ‘focus groups’. The council also spoke to schools that use the pool for swimming lessons.

A report from the consultation is due to be published in July.