The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has led charitable social enterprise & leisure operator GLL and landlord Seven Capital, to review the future of the Oasis Leisure Centre.
This review has concluded that the continued operation of the Centre is not viable.
Both parties are therefore finalising an agreement that will see GLL surrender its lease back to Seven Capital.
The decision will mean that the Oasis Leisure Centre will not reopen on 3rd December when lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Staff consultation has begun, with GLL looking to redeploy colleagues, where possible, at alternative facilities. 12 contracted staff will be directly affected.
GLL will continue to operate six municipal leisure centres in the town comprising Croft Sports Centre, Delta Tennis Centre, Dorcan Recreation Complex, Haydon Centre & Gym, the Health Hydro and Link Centre, with the support of Swindon Council.
Commenting on the lease surrender, GLL’s Regional Director for Swindon Jamie Coleshill said: “We recognise the significant impact the closure of the Oasis will have on our customers; particularly the loss of the unique, albeit very tired, leisure pools.
“We are committed to supporting the Oasis’s gym, swim and Better Swim School customers to relocate to alternative leisure centres within Swindon and will be in touch with them over the coming days.”
“The closure of all leisure facilities across the UK for over five months due to the two lockdowns, coupled with the requirement to now operate at reduced capacity in order to comply with social distancing, has created extremely challenging operating conditions.
“Closing leisure facilities and reducing staff numbers is not a decision we take lightly. It is with great regret that we have come to this point, but we believe it is the only option available to us.
As a charitable social enterprise we are not in a position to continue operating a facility that requires capital investment and is losing money, while accruing significant rent liabilities.”
