A Pool in Peril

Jubilee Pool, located near Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle, opened on 26 May, 1937. Over the years it has become a popular and much-loved local facility, where many Knowle and Brislington children learnt to swim. Unfortunately, it is once again facing the threat of closure, for the third time in just a few years!

The pool was first threatened with closure around 8 years ago when Labour and Conservative Councillors got together and agreed that the provision of the new Hengrove Pool was all that was needed in this part of Bristol. However, a smart investment in a mini gym by the then Liberal Democrat administration changed the picture completely with usage up and subsidy slashed. The future looked secure for our local pool. That is until Labour’s Marvin Rees came along.

Three years ago, not content with trying to close most of our libraries, budget papers revealed the Mayor’s intention to end the subsidy and close our local pool. Liberal Democrat Councillors submitted a budget amendment to prevent the removal of the subsidy but with Labour in control of the council, the pool looked doomed. However, a huge campaign was put together and in just a few weeks, over 6,000 signatures were collected. Realising the strength of local opposition to his plans, the Mayor quickly backtracked and even claimed the line in the budget about closing the pool was a typo!

Now Jubilee Pool is in peril again. It was forced to close during the pandemic but prior to Covid, was operating at a profit. According to the operators, all that is needed is a comparatively small capital investment and the pool could be saved. Unfortunately, the Mayor has a cash-flow problem, which is largely of his own making. It was his failed gamble on energy supply company, Bristol Energy, that has left Bristol taxpayers with £50m losses. As a result, it is clear that Jubilee Pool is at great risk. However, we have fought and won this battle twice before and we will do everything we can to stop the Mayor’s closure plans this time. Look out for our petition, which will be launched this week, and come along to our demonstration at Jubilee Pool at 10am on Saturday 22 August.

Cllr. Jos Clark and Andrew Varney regularly keep residents informed via their quarterly newsletter, ‘Focus on Brislington West’. If you would like to receive a digital version, please register using this link: http://www.bristollibdems.org/efocus

By Jos Clark, Local Councillor (Brislington West) & Andrew Varney, Local Councillor Candidate (Brislington West)
Email: cllr.jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 370 429