UK councils advance King Alfred leisure centre and Banbury Reservoir swim projects

Brighton & Hove councillor Alan Robins, the cabinet member for sports, recreation and libraries, urged the council to approve a £65 million regeneration scheme for the King Alfred swimming pool and leisure centre. He warned that the ageing facility could close without a modern replacement and argued that the new centre would remain open during construction, improving accessibility and community health.

In London, Waltham Forest’s new cabinet member for sports and culture, Councillor Anna Rose Kerr, said the council is in early talks with Thames Water about opening Banbury Reservoir for wild swimming. The proposal aims to turn the currently inaccessible reservoir into a safe outdoor swimming venue, with community groups highlighting benefits for recreation, biodiversity and future housing developments.

Both councils stress the importance of safe, inclusive leisure spaces as part of broader health and wellbeing strategies for their residents.