Negotiations ongoing to protect sports centre

A council says it is negotiating with an operator to protect a popular sports centre and pool.

On Monday, Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) said it was speaking to potential Sovereign Centre tenant GLL - whose consumer-facing brand Better was responsible for 140 pools in the UK.

A minimum lease of three years was set to be agreed that would retain the site's gala pool, keep the training pool open, and enable the fun pool to reopen and welcome swimmers seasonally, from spring to October, the council explained.

Stephen Holt, EBC's leader, said the update was "positive news".

He added: "Despite council-run pools closing across the country over the last decade due to spiralling costs, councillors have been determined to find the most sustainable solution for the future of the Sovereign Centre.

"The agreement in negotiation with GLL would achieve this, and without taxpayers being charged an unaffordable £300,000 plus every year to plug the gap."

Joseph Rham, GLL's customer and communities director, said it would soon begin community engagement activities and provide more information on memberships and courses.

He added: "On a personal note, as someone who was brought up in Eastbourne and has spent many hours swimming at the Sovereign Centre, I fully appreciate its importance to local residents and the social value it provides to the health and wellbeing of the local community."

Leisure centre management company Wave Active, which had provided financial models for the council, said it was pleased the arrangement would allow local people to continue to enjoy the "much-loved" venue.

They added: "One key requirement of each model was to protect swimming provision."

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