Exeter swimming pool closure under review

Exeter City Council has launched a public consultation on the future of Northbrook Swimming Pool following a budget decision that requires significant cost savings across services.

At the budget-setting meeting on 28 February 2025, councillors approved measures to reduce spending by £3.5 million in order to balance the council’s budget for the next financial year.

Among the cuts was a £586,000 reduction to the Leisure Service budget, prompting a review of the facilities it operates.

Despite efforts to increase its usage, Northbrook Swimming Pool continues to have a low membership base. The council has noted that the facility’s running costs remain disproportionately high due to the age and design of the building, with its income falling well short of operational expenses.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Although Northbrook is a valued community pool, the financial reality means we need to assess its long-term viability. This consultation is about understanding how any potential closure would impact users before making a final decision.”

The six-week consultation will commence on 11 March and run until 22 April 2025. It will include focus groups, an online and paper survey, and direct engagement with members and regular users.

Once completed, the council will conduct a full analysis of the feedback before making any final decision on the pool’s future.

Should Northbrook close, the council has assured users that support will be available to help transition to other nearby facilities.