Family business closes following pool closure

Eight jobs have been lost following the closure of the family-run business, Elite School of Swimming at Gurnard Pines.

As previously reported, the gym and pool closed at the end of January after the previous leaseholder failed to keep up with the terms of his agreement.

Following a refurbishment, it was hoped that the operation would reopen in March, but, at the end of last week, owners GUPI Properties Limited issued a statement saying: “Following the repossession of the main complex at the Gurnard Pines site on January 30, we are pleased to announce the naming of the building to ‘The Phoenix Centre’ and the launch of two new companies.

“Phoenix Knights Limited has taken over the entertainment section of the property who are looking to provide entertainment to the Island, initially running every fortnight with new dates coming soon.

“The Phoenix Zone Limited has taken over the gym sections of the property and will be launching soon with a view to open up on March 6, with plenty of classes. Unfortunately, it has become apparent that the swimming pool is simply too expensive to retain with utility costs rising again in April once the government discount ceases.

“The monthly running cost of the pool alone would be in excess of £230,000 per annum and generates only £30,000 per annum from swim schools and local clubs, meaning the annual loss would be in the region of £200,000.

“The pool area will be re-purposed as a multi-functional area. Some of the options we are considering are squash, badminton, basketball, indoor football, futsal and instructor-led exercise training.”

Paul Hewison, director of the swimming school, whose daughter, Melissa, ran the business, said: “The landlord offered us full running of the pool, but financially, it was just something we could not do. We only use it for around 18 hours a week.

“A 25-metre pool needs a lot of maintenance, plus the energy costs. We’re a family business and we have closed it with the loss of eight jobs.

“We had up to 500 children a week attending and they won’t be able to take their lessons anywhere else. It’s also a shame for the local community. A lot of the elderly can’t do physical exercise, but can swim to keep their bodies moving.

“We’re told it takes £200-£250k a year to run and we pay £30k a year; we just can’t pay that sort of money.

“We live on an Island and are surrounded by water, yet these children won’t be able to learn to swim in a secure pool. It will affect this generation in years to come.”

On Wednesday, Phoenix Zone Ltd’s, Terry Prosser, said he had had a rethink and suggested he is considering charging £10 per day for the use of the pool, helping to pay for energy costs, which are around £60,000 per year.

He said: “This is three times more expensive than we were expecting and pushes our monthly operating costs to around £25,000.

“If people are willing to pay £10 a day to use the pool and we can get at least 100 people to sign up to membership, we will be able to keep the pool open.

“I will be offering ‘pool only membership’ at £300 per month, but I must have a minimum sign-up of 100 people.”