Active Tameside centre closures announcement met with disappointment

Politicians and the local community have reacted with disappointment following the announcement of the closures of the Active centres.

Active Tameside, which operates all the swimming pools and leisure centres in the borough, has announced the closure of three of its sites as it tries to remain viable.

The trust, which is a registered charity, has confirmed that Active Ashton, Adventure Longdendale and Active Etherow will shut in early September.

Active Ashton has two swimming pools and a gym, Adventure Longdendale contains a trampoline park, laser zone and soft play area for children, and Active Etherow is the trust’s dedicated indoor bowling centre.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Active Tameside said that the huge increase in energy bills has taken the cost of utilities at its sites up to £2 million a year.

The situation has been further exacerbated by price rises for products such as chemicals, insurance and the cost of staff.

'Clearly deeply disappointing news'

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, who is also the Shadow Business Secretary 

Stalybridge and Hyde's Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds, whose constituency covers Active Etherow and Adventure Longdendale, described it as "clearly deeply disappointing news". 

He added: "I am particularly sad to see the Hattersley and Etherow services go. My own children were among so many local families who loved the trampolining, and I know how much the indoor bowls facility is valued too. 

“However the sad fact is I am aware of the incredibly tough financial position Active Tameside are in. The cost of running these facilities, particularly in terms of energy costs, has gone through the roof. There is no further financial support available from central or local government and Active Tameside must be sustainable. 

“We do have some fantastic local facilities in my constituency that will remain at the heart of Active’s provision, particularly at Hyde, Copley, Hattersley and Dukinfield. I will work with Active, the Council and any club or local organisation that needs help to try and secure alternative provision for the future.”

'Maintaining access to leisure facilities is hugely important' 

MP Angela Rayner, who is also the deputy leader of the Labour Party 

Angela Rayner, Labour MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, said: "There can be no doubt that this is disappointing news for our community, with the huge costs what would be needed to repair, rescue and rebuild this run down facility making it unviable. 

"The council’s undertaking that it will be looking at the option of relocating services to Oxford Park is welcome as this serves one of the most in-need areas locally. 

"We will continue to engage proactively with Active Tameside to ensure that options and arrangements are put in place at the other Active centres wherever possible to ensure activities and services can continue to be provided to the community.”

Ashton Hurst Conservative councillor Dan Costello, who is also the deputy leader of the Tameside Conservatives, commented: "Clearly this is very concerning to a number of local residents, many of whom have contacted me with their concerns. Ultimately, Active Tameside is its own company which is not run by Tameside Council. 

"Access to leisure facilities is a hugely important part of both mental and physical health, and we must make sure that such access is maintained. 

"Whilst disappointing for Ashton, Active Tameside is an independent company which must be able to make its own decisions in support of its business model. 

"I will do all I can to help local residents access facilities at alternative locations, many of which are reasonably close by." 

Councillor Dan Costello, who represents the Ashton Hurst ward 

Swimming club in shock 

Ashton Swimming Club has been left devastated with the news that Active Ashton will be closing. 

Steve Shilley, the chairman of Ashton Swimming Club, told the Tameside Reporter: "When we heard the news on Monday morning it was an awful feeling, I just felt sick. 

“We’ve been here as a club for years, I personally have been here since 1974 when we moved here from the old baths, so to lose something that has been going for such a long time would be a real shame.”

Steve was very keen to highlight the sheer amount of people the closure would affect.

“We have 150 members at the swimming club, from ages four upwards and it’s sickening that we’ve built ourselves up after the pandemic just for this to happen,” he explained.

“It’s not just my swimming club, there are other groups that use this pool. Hundreds of kids come down from schools every week for swimming lessons so the impact it will have is massive.”

POPULAR: Ashton Swimming Club staged its latest gala at Active Ashton this week

'I don't think there is anything else left to close' 

Tameside Radio has also been speaking to residents in Ashton town centre to get their reaction to the news. 

Susan Wright said: "I think it's terrible. My grandson goes swimming at Active Ashton and the community needs it." 

June Lockett added: "There's nothing for kids around here anyway. If they were to close the swimming baths, what would be next? I don't think there is anything else left to close." 

Danielle told us: "I don't think it's good for kids in terms of having things to do. They are just going to be hanging around. Also, it's good for them to learn to swim and the gym is good for your health and fitness too." 

Meanwhile, Etherow Centre Charitable Trust said they were "very shocked and saddened" to hear about the decision to close the bowling facility at the Etherow Centre. 

They added: "Unfortunately, we had no prior notice of this and will we will endeavour to look at options for the future." 

Petition already gathers thousands of signatures

A petition has been launched on Change.org in a bid to 'save' the Active Ashton centre and has already garnered support from more than 2,500 people. 

Keith Whitehead, who set it up, said it was "an essential service" and urged people to sign to "yet again fight for a building that is a lifeline for so many people". 

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