PENRITH SWIMMING CLUB LEFT IN LIMBO AS GLL AND COUNCIL MESSAGES CONTRADICT
19 Aug 2027
Penrith Swimming Club is calling for urgent clarity after receiving contradictory messages from GLL/Better and Westmorland and Furness Council over the future of its established swimming provision.
On 1 August, during the club’s summer break, Penrith Leisure Centre’s General Manager informed PSC that its Learn to Swim provision would have to end from 1 September 2026.
The announcement forced volunteers to reconvene during one of the few breaks in the club calendar, with committee members and coaches interrupting holidays and family time to respond to a decision they believed could threaten the future of the club.
At a subsequent meeting, PSC says GLL’s Partnership Manager stated that the club’s provision crossed a GLL “red line” and indicated there was no room for negotiation over its continuation. The club says it was also told the change was intended to increase numbers within GLL’s own swimming lesson programme.
Following representations from the club, GLL has now moved the deadline from 1 September to 1 January 2027.
PSC welcomes the additional time but says moving the deadline does not remove the threat.
Contradictory messages
Westmorland and Furness Councillors subsequently told the BBC it valued “all our pool users” and was discussing how it could retain the club’s involvement.
Westmorland and Furness Council also stated:
“We absolutely want to ensure there is no threat to the future of the swimming club.”
PSC welcomes those words but is asking for them to be matched by action.
A club spokesperson said:
“Privately, we have been told our provision crosses GLL’s red line and cannot continue. Publicly, we are being told there should be no threat to our future.
“Moving the deadline to January doesn’t resolve that contradiction. We don’t need another deadline. We need a solution.”
Club challenges previous Council statement
PSC has also repeatedly challenged an earlier Council statement which referenced arrangements covering “responsibilities, safeguarding, qualifications, facility use and operational procedures.”
The club believes this created an unfair implication about its existing standards and has repeatedly asked the Council to clarify and correct the public record.
PSC has maintains Swim England’s highest level of club accreditation and strongly rejects any suggestion that its safeguarding or coaching standards are inadequate.
The club has also asked to see the specific Sport England and Swim England guidancesubsequently referenced in discussions.
145 years built by volunteers
Founded in 1881, Penrith Swimming Club is entirely volunteer-run, with more than 40 coaches and administrators supporting around 160 members.
Generations of club members have helped fund swimming facilities in Penrith and today PSC contributes more than £40,000 each year in pool hire at Penrith Leisure Centre.
The club’s position remains simple:
If arrangements need formalising, formalise them. If an agreement is required, create one. But allow Penrith Swimming Club’s pathway into club and competitive swimming to continue.
“We want to work with GLL and Westmorland and Furness Council, not against them.
“But if the Council genuinely wants to ensure there is no threat to Penrith Swimming Club, we are asking it to turn those words into action.”
More than 1,300 people have already signed the club’s petition.
SIGN AND SHARE THE PETITION?: https://c.org/ZDTtJzNtYV
Supporters are also encouraged to attend the public meeting of Penrith Town Council:
Monday 24 August 2026 @ 6:00pm
Unit 2, 19–24 Friargate, Penrith
145 years built by volunteers. Penrith Swimming Club is asking for one thing: certainty that its pathway and future will be protected.
