Deal agreed to bring former swimming pool into use

A former swimming pool in Crewe is set to be brought back into use, after a deal was agreed with a new operator.

Flag Lane Baths closed in 2016 and plans in recent years to convert it, firstly to a community centre and then a school, were both scrapped.

Cheshire Leisure has been selected as Cheshire East Council's preferred organisation to bring the site back into use.

Mick Warren, the council's cabinet member for planning, housing and regeneration, said: "The former Flag Lane Baths is an important part of Crewe's heritage, and we know there is strong interest from local people in seeing the building brought back into use."

He added it was a "significant milestone" and it supported the council's "wider ambitions for Crewe's regeneration".

Crewe was granted £22.9m under the Towns Fund in 2021 for regeneration projects, including one to bring the 1930s baths back into use as a community centre.

But this was later scrapped due to cost increases.

In autumn 2024, the council agreed to look into converting the site into an alternative provision school with funding from the government.

But the council agreed to accept £3.45m from the Department for Education to invest in its mainstream schools instead.

Cheshire East Council then asked for proposals for the site, and said a number of submissions were received.

It said the proposal from Cheshire Leisure was the "strongest overall".

The firm is seeking to bring the swimming pool back into use alongside a gym, fitness studios and facilities for local community groups.

Andrew Chandler, managing director of Cheshire Leisure, said it wanted to provide Crewe with "top quality health and wellbeing facilities" to add to those already in the area.

"We've listened to what the community wants, and the new Flag Lane Baths complex will ensure everyone has access to the best environment possible to achieve their health, fitness, social and wellbeing goals.

"There will be some challenges along the way but by working together we can achieve our goal of seeing swimming taking place again at Flag Lane Baths."

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