Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool closes less than a week after reopening due to lack of users

Income at the charity-run facility was just a fraction of the running costs, prompting the "very tough decision" for it to be closed again

Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool has closed its doors less than a week after reopening.

The charity-run amenity was among leisure facilities across the country to welcome back customers on August 31 through the latest easing of the coronavirus lockdown.

But with income just a fraction of running costs, the board has made the “very tough decision” to close it again with all 13 staff being put on furlough.

Manager Colin Wyper said: “Even in the week we were open a lot of regulars weren’t coming back.

“Hopefully by the end of October people will be more willing to come out and we’ll know if school swimming lessons can start up.

“You make some money with public swimming but the big earners are swimming lessons, hiring out to the swimming club and the canoe club and the council paying £7,500 a year for school use.

“It’s worth about £60,000 a year and it’s just not there at the moment.”

The former councillor said it costs around £600 to operate the pool but they were able to take in just £225 last week.

He added: “We are looking into longer hours for the charity shop and we hope we may be able to access some of the emergency funding that Friends of Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool has.

“The Kirkcudbright Development Trust has agreed to support us with the profits from Silvercraigs Caravan Park which is a help but it’s obviously not going to turn £60,000 profit.

“Having said that, July and August were actually busier than last year and September is looking good as well as people aren’t going abroad on holiday.”

The pool was opened in 1997 following years of fundraising in the local community which still goes on through the Friends of Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool group.

Lesley Garbutt, who is chairman of both the swimming pool board and the friends of the pool group, said: “It was a very tough decision but it was inevitable as it is just not sustainable at the moment.

“People are still concerned about mixing right now so we had to make a decision which is to close in September and October and review it in October.

“I think we have got to be realistic, we are a long way from normality.

“We are looking at different ways to reopen after that. We had children and adult swimming lessons and also aquasize classes, which were popular, and those people are missing out.”

“It’s all about sustainability. Nobody knows how long this is going to go on for, we are already seeing events cancelled next
year.”

Local councillor Pauline Drysdale said she had been advised by the council that the pool could apply to the South of Scotland Enterprise for help.

She added: “It is extremely disheartening to hear that Kirkcudbright Pool is now no longer able to remain open due to the running costs being too high versus achievable income.

“I have support from fellow councillors within the Stewartry alongside MSP Finlay Carson to support any application made, especially in light of the Castle Douglas Pool unfortunately not reopening at present.”