Weekend closures prompt renewed fears over future of Jedburgh swimming pool

There are renewed fears over the future of the public swimming pool in Jedburgh, after its operators announced plans to close at weekends from next month in a bid to save money.

The Laidlaw Memorial Pool & Fitness Centre was thrown a financial lifeline by Scottish Borders Council in August, after it revealed its annual energy costs have tripled from £18,000 to more than £54,000 in the past couple of years.

But, in an announcement on Saturday night, there's a warning further timetable changes may also be made in the coming weeks due to the cost of staffing and current financial challenges.

"We understand that this decision may cause disappointment, but it is a necessary step to ensure the long-term survival of this vital community resource," the statement reads.

But it adds: "These closures will be in place until further notice, as we work hard to identify sustainable solutions for the pool's future."

READ MORE: Drink-driving meter reader admits charge of dangerous driving following near miss on A68

Locals, who helped raise more than £6,000 in an online crowdfunder to keep the attraction open, have described the move - which is due to take effect on November 2nd - as "worryingly short-sighted".

One said: "This is ridiculous, especially for a Sunday which is an open session; for me personally it's also the only day I can actually attend where I can use my fins."

Another said: "As a regular user of the pool with my kids and at their lessons, I think this is a pretty daft decision."

A third added: "This will be the beginning of the end."

But another local was more sympathetic. They said: "I hear folks complaining, but this was very much a ‘use it or lose it’ situation. No organisation can continue indefinitely, while losing money, due to low usage/income.

"We travelled from Gala with our grandkids, as we prefer Jethart pool, but often on a weekend session, we would be the only people in the pool. That’s just unsustainable!"

In August, Scottish Borders Council agreed to make an early payment of a management fee of nearly £30,000 in a bid to keep the 25 metre pool afloat, in addition to another £40,000 from its reserves.

Without the bailout, the operators of the attraction - which has served the community for more than a hundred years - said it would have had to close permanently.

Swimmer Lucy Hope - from Crailing - has previously said she would not have reached the Olympics without the local facilities in Jedburgh and Kelso.

"People aren't going to travel an hour to go to a pool every day," she told the BBC.

"So I think it is quite an essential that we do our best to keep these open."

For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.