PENRITH CALLED TO STAND BEHIND ITS SWIMMING CLUB
17 Aug 2026
Penrith Swimming Club is calling on members, families, former swimmers and supporters to attend a special public meeting of Penrith Town Council as the 145-year-old club continues its campaign to protect its future.
The meeting will take place:
Monday 24 August 2026, 6:00pm
Unit 2, 19–24 Friargate, Penrith
The meeting has been called by the Mayor of Penrith, Councillor Val Bowen, following correspondence from the club. Penrith Town Council does not operate Penrith Leisure Centre, but the club hopes the Town Council will add the voice of Penrith to those calling on Westmorland and Furness Council and GLL/Better to find a solution.
More than 1,000 voices
The campaign has received an incredible response, with more than 1,000 people signing the club's petition, alongside support from councillors, businesses, sports clubs, organisations, former swimmers and families.
The dispute follows a proposal by GLL/Better to stop the introductory provision through which Penrith Swimming Club develops children towards club and competitive swimming.
PSC has also challenged information subsequently circulated by Westmorland and Furness Council to elected members and the press, which the club believes contained significant inaccuracies and did not properly represent its position.
The club wants to work constructively with both GLL and the Council, but remains firm that its established swimming pathway must continue.
145 years of Penrith history
Founded in 1881, Penrith Swimming Club has served generations of local families.
Club members helped fund swimming facilities in Penrith, including contributing towards the original swimming pool and later approximately £40,000 towards the Frenchfield Teaching Pool.
Today, the volunteer-run club contributes more than £40,000 each year in facility hire at Penrith Leisure Centre and continues to develop swimmers from their first steps into club swimming through to competitive sport.
A club spokesperson said:
“Operators have changed. Councils have changed. Contracts have changed. Penrith Swimming Club has remained.
“More than 1,000 people have already stood with us. Now we are asking our members, families, former swimmers and supporters to come to Monday's meeting and make sure Penrith's voice is heard.
“We want a constructive solution, but we will stand firmly behind the future of a club that generations of volunteers have spent 145 years building.”
The club will be able to address the Council for five minutes, while members of the public can also speak subject to the meeting arrangements.
If Penrith Swimming Club has made a difference to you or your family, come along and stand with your club.
Sign the Penrith Swimming Club petition: https://c.org/Sq6bFDGKtx
145 years. 1,000+ voices. One community.
#WeArePenrith #ThisMeansMore
