GLL apologises to Penrith Swimming Club as fixed cessation date is removed - but
12 Sep 2026
Penrith Swimming Club has welcomed an apology from GLL/Better and confirmation that the fixed cessation date previously hanging over its Learn to Swim provision has been removed, describing the developments as an important step towards more constructive discussions. However, the Club has stressed that the underlying proposal remains and its campaign will continue until the future of its pathway is secured.
The developments mark a significant change from the position Penrith Swimming Club faced at the beginning of August.
On 1 August, the Club received an email from the General Manager of Penrith Leisure Centre stating:
“Upon your return following the summer break, Penrith SC will not be authorised to operate any Junior Learn to Swim sessions during pool hire times at Penrith Leisure Centre.”
At a subsequent meeting on 7 August, GLL’s Partnership Manager describing stopping the Club’s teaching provision as a “red line” with “no wriggle room.”
More than a month later, the tone of discussions has changed considerably.
GLL has apologised to the Club over the way the situation was initially handled and acknowledged that mistakes were made.
The Club has also been informed that the previously discussed cessation date should no longer be regarded as fixed while discussions between Penrith Swimming Club, GLL/Better and Westmorland and Furness Council, the owner of Penrith Leisure Centre, continue.
Penrith Swimming Club has welcomed both developments.
The Club had made clear that genuinely constructive conversations about partnership and its long-term future were extremely difficult while a predetermined date for the cessation of its provision continued to hang over its swimmers, volunteers and families.
“An important change - but not the end”
Luke Brown of Penrith Swimming Club said:
“We welcome GLL’s apology and their acknowledgement that mistakes were made in how this situation was handled. We also welcome the removal of the fixed cessation date.
“Both are important developments and we recognise the much more constructive conversations now taking place.
“It is difficult to overstate how different this feels from the position we faced at the beginning of August. We went from receiving an email telling us our provision would no longer be authorised, followed by a meeting being described as a ‘red line’ with ‘no wriggle room’, to now being able to have discussions without a fixed cessation date hanging over us.
“We genuinely want to use that opportunity positively. We want to sit down with GLL and Westmorland and Furness Council and find a solution that works for everyone.
“However, we also need to be completely clear with the thousands of people who have stood behind us: the underlying proposal affecting our Learn to Swim provision has not been withdrawn.
“An apology is welcomed. Removing the deadline is welcomed. But neither, on its own, secures the future of our pathway.
“That is why our campaign continues.”
Club wants coexistence, not conflict
Penrith Swimming Club says its preferred solution remains straightforward: formalise the Club’s provision and allow it to coexist alongside GLL’s own Learn to Swim programme.
The Club has repeatedly stressed that it is not campaigning for GLL’s swimming lessons to stop.
Instead, it wants families to retain choice and for both organisations to work together to increase swimming participation and provide a strong pathway through the sport.
For PSC, its introductory provision is not a standalone set of swimming lessons. It represents the beginning of a pathway which takes children from their first experiences in the water through Development and competitive squads, and ultimately into competition, coaching, volunteering and lifelong participation.
Luke Brown continued:
“We don't want one programme to succeed at the expense of another.
“We believe GLL can have a successful Learn to Swim programme and Penrith Swimming Club can continue providing the beginning of our Club pathway.
“Two programmes can coexist. Families can retain choice. More children can be encouraged into swimming.
“Our focus now is demonstrating to GLL and Westmorland and Furness Council just how much this Club and the pathway behind it mean to Penrith and the wider community.
“We will approach the forthcoming discussions constructively and with solutions. But until our provision is secured for the future, we will continue standing up for it.”
Campaign continues to gather support
The change in position comes after a remarkable month for the 145-year-old volunteer-run Club.
Thousands of people have backed its petition, local councils and community organisations have offered their support and Penrith Town Council has publicly backed the continuation of the Club’s provision alongside GLL.
The campaign has also reached Westminster.
Penrith and Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours has tabled an Early Day Motion concerning Penrith Swimming Club in the House of Commons, with support beginning to grow beyond Cumbria.
PSC says that support remains crucial while negotiations continue.
The Club will now focus on forthcoming discussions with GLL and Westmorland and Furness Council, where it hopes the improved relationship can be converted into a formal, sustainable long-term agreement.
The spokesperson added:
“We are grateful to everyone who has stood with us. Your support has helped ensure our voice has been heard.
“There has been progress, and it is right that we acknowledge it.
“But progress isn't the same as protection.
“The fixed date has gone. The conversation has changed. Now we need to secure the pathway.”
Sign the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/save-our-swimming-club-save-penrith-swimming-club-s-learn-to-swim-provision
Read the Early Day Motion:
https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/66517
