Concerns are mounting over the closure of a London leisure centre described as the "hub of the community," with campaigners warning of the impact on vulnerable groups and children. The Golden Lane Leisure Centre in the City of London shut its doors on April 30 after operator Fusion Lifestyle went into administration.
Community Campaigners Question Early Shutdown
Paul Drinkwater has been bringing his daughter to swimming lessons at the centre for three years. He described the pool as beautiful, the teacher as inspirational, and said the sessions helped his daughter become a confident swimmer. He recently saw her dive for the first time. Learning that the centre would close early, ahead of a planned December shutdown for refurbishment, came as a shock.
Mr Drinkwater is part of a group of users and Golden Lane residents questioning the validity of the early closure and whether the impacts, particularly on vulnerable groups, were properly considered. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Every Saturday morning for the last three years I've brought my daughter here. She wasn't a confident swimmer three years ago, now she's a very confident swimmer due to the fact she's able to swim with her friends in a safe environment."
The City of London Corporation said alternative provision has been secured for groups that used the centre, including swimming club sessions and activities for older people. The closure is temporary, with a £10.4 million refurbishment due to begin in December and last around 12 months. The centre, the only state-funded facility in the Square Mile, also includes tennis courts and a sports hall.
Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process
Campaign group Save Golden Lane Leisure Centre uncovered details revealing the Corporation knew Fusion was in financial difficulties in February and made a private decision to close the site later that month, five weeks before the public announcement. At a gathering on April 30, the group unveiled a plaque blaming Deputy Helen Fentimen, Chair of the Community and Children's Services Committee Steve Goodman, Deputy Chair, and Deputy Chris Hayward, the Corporation's Policy Chair.
Mr Drinkwater, one of the campaign's organisers, said: "Today is a sad day and I hope it doesn't stunt my daughter's swimming proficiency. I saw her dive for the first time just last Saturday. As well as the health impact, there's the impact on her social life, which is easy to overlook. It's easy to understand the cost of everything but the value of nothing."
Another resident, Paul Lincoln, described the pool as "one of the most beautiful in London" and "the heart of the estate." He noted that other community-focused facilities, such as the YMCA swimming pools in Tottenham Court Road and nearby, have also closed in recent months.
Concerns for Special Needs Users
Tim Godsmark, a former chair of the Golden Lane Estate Residents' Association, has used the centre since the late 1980s. His son attends SEN sports sessions on Fridays and one-to-one swimming lessons on Saturdays. Mr Godsmark said alternative facilities may work for his son but could be challenging for others: "A lot of the children who do SEN sports on Fridays are autistic, and a change of scene and probably noisier places isn't terribly good for them."
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said: "We did consider options to keep the centre open temporarily but they would not have resolved the fundamental issues around reliability. The building is ageing and increasingly unpredictable, and continuing to operate it risked further sudden disruption. On balance, a planned and managed closure, alongside securing alternative provision nearby, was the best way to ensure reliable, high-quality leisure provision in the short term."
The spokesperson added that arrangements are in place for nearly all organised groups, including swimming, sport, activities for older people, and SEND provision. All centre members can access leisure facilities within a 10-minute walk using their existing membership. The refurbishment is expected to start in December, subject to final design, consultation, planning permission, and listed building consent, and will take around 12 months.
