Keeping our pools afloat - APSE Sports and Leisure Network Meeting
Wednesday 8 October, 10.00-11.30
MS Teams
“A study, conducted by the GMB union, indicates 500 public pools have closed since 2010, with almost half shutting since the pandemic.” BBC News, August 2025.
APSE’s Sports and Leisure Network will be holding an online meeting to explore the precarious future of public swimming pools, following growing evidence of closures and funding challenges across the UK. With swimming pools at the heart of community health, wellbeing, and grassroots sport, this session will highlight the urgent need for investment and innovation, whilst also discussing practical initiatives to support the future of swimming.
Speakers include:
- Philip Brownlie, Head of Public Affairs at Swim England, will share insights from their campaign urging that the Government’s £400 million investment in grassroots sport is directed towards leisure centres, swimming pools and community gyms most in need.
- Previous seminars
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Presentations from previous APSE seminars are available to download here.
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Promoting excellence in public services
APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit unincorporated association working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.
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