Stuart Anderson MP, Member of Parliament for South Shropshire, has urged Shropshire Council to urgently reconsider its decision to reject funding proposals from Teme Leisure.
The Council announced publicly on Thursday 28th that the future of the leisure centre was uncertain.
Teme Leisure manage the leisure centres in Ludlow and in Cleobury Mortimer. In their statement, Teme Leisure made it clear that they had made proposals which would provide revenue for the council and maintain local management of the centres.
After rejecting this proposal, Shropshire Council issued a statement about the potential closure of the leisure centre without providing notice to Teme Leisure. This statement has caused a shock to the staff and local community.
The leisure centre is a key community hub, offering facilities for sport, fitness, and social activity. It provides opportunities for residents of all ages – from children and young people to older members of the community – to stay active, healthy, and connected.
Stuart has requested that Shropshire Council work with local groups such as the Town Council, in addition to local suppliers Teme Leisure, to secure the future of the leisure centre in Cleobury.
Stuart recently urged the Sports Secretary to extend the previous Government’s scheme that provided over £60 million in additional funding to support operating costs and help improve energy efficiency of facilities through the Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF), delivered via Sport England. Stuart has renewed his call to the Government for this funding to be released, providing a lifeline to struggling leisure centres.
This is part of Stuart’s campaign to invest in the infrastructure of everyday life across South Shropshire, making the area a better place to live, work and visit. Stuart has been calling for better funding for rural areas which ensures the long-term sustainability of local services.
Gwilym Butler, Chairman of the Cleobury Mortimer Sports and Social Association, said:
“We as a community need to support Teme to maintain their supply of leisure facilities in both Ludlow and Cleobury. This certainly wasn’t what was promised by the new Liberal administration manifesto of working with and putting communities first and using local suppliers.”
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“Cleobury Mortimer Sports and Leisure Centre is a vital facility for the community, and I am incredibly disappointed with how this has situation been handled. Shropshire Council’s statement was a shock to the community, and there is considerable concern about the potential closure of the centre. I am calling on the Council to urgently review the decision to reject Teme Leisure’s proposal and to work with local residents to secure the centre’s future.”
