Bingley Pool campaigners advocate for public ownership amid funding concerns

Advocates for the reopening of a historic swimming facility have appealed to the local authority to retain the property under public control, citing concerns over the potential loss of millions in allocated funds. Specifically, the Friends of Bingley Pool group was slated to receive a portion of the £14 million in Levelling Up funds that Bradford Council was granted in March by the former Conservative administration. Nevertheless, in August, the current Labour government declared its intention to re-evaluate Towns Fund applications that had not advanced beyond a specific procedural stage, a review that encompasses the funding allocated to Bradford. Jeremy Thackray, co-chair of the Friends of Bingley Pool, stated that the organization is now urging the local council to prevent the building’s sale to a private entity. He quoted: “The [Autumn] Budget statement said the government is minded to cancel that funding, but there is going to be a last consultation to take place.” He continued: “But, it is likely that that funding, sadly, is going to be withdrawn.” Thackray added: “It is of course a significant blow. It was an opportunity to have serious money on the table to regenerate this facility. “But we do have other plans that we are still going to take up.” Mr. Thackray indicated that the Friends group intends to request that the building be transferred into local public ownership. He explained: “The pool has an Asset of Community Value (ACV) status on it.” He elaborated: “That means if it is put on a sale list then a local body, the Friends and the town council will be notified. We will have a chance to invoke that status which pauses the sale for six months.” The ACV designation was sought to safeguard the site located in Myrtle Place from private sector acquisition following its initial closure in 2020. Mr. Thackray expressed the Friends’ hope of persuading Bradford Council to maintain the property under public ownership. He asserted: “This is prime public land, right in the heart of the town centre. We think it should be kept in public hands to give a good public service.” Alex Ross-Shaw, the council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, conveyed that the authority was “obviously disappointed” regarding the prospective withdrawal of financial support. He stated: “I know all those who have campaigned so hard for the pool in Bingley including the Friends of group, the local councillors and Anna Dixon MP will share that disappointment.” Ross-Shaw confirmed that the council is engaging with the government to ascertain its definitive stance and will persist in advocating for investment in Bingley “as a priority.” He concluded: “We’ll need to consider next steps for the site itself, but obviously delivering any kind of pool facility here will sadly be very difficult.”