Cornwall Council's cabinet votes to close Ships and Castles in Falmouth

Councillors have voted to close a leisure centre and swimming pool.

Cornwall Council officers recommended the closure of Ships and Castles, in Falmouth, after operator Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) said it could no longer run it without more support.

Cabinet members voted on Friday to carry the recommendation, and the centre will close on 31 March.

Campaigners said they were "gutted" at the announcement.

Wadebridge Leisure Centre was given a two-week extension before a final decision is made over its future.

The fate of Ships and Castles was decided by the cabinet of Cornwall Council at an extraordinary meeting.

The report to the cabinet recommended: "That alternative options be developed for leisure provision for the Falmouth and Penryn area which may include the disposal of the Falmouth Ships and Castles site."

Councillor Richard Pears, portfolio holder for leisure, told the meeting two organisations had bid to take over Ships and Castles, but neither were "economically viable".

A spokesperson for Better Leisure, part of GLL which runs the centre, said on Tuesday: "If the cabinet decide that all avenues to find a workable solution have been exhausted, the council could be working with GLL to close Ships and Castles by March 31, 2022."

It said after a decision was made on Friday it would be in touch with members and other users "to advise on next steps".

A spokesperson for campaign group Pendennis Leisure said it was "absolutely gutted" and it would "continue to do all we can to keep Ships and Castles operating".

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