From Friday 12 April 2024, voluntary and community bodies can submit an Expression of Interest in acquiring and operating the Kirkham swimming facility using the dedicated online form. This submission period will run for six weeks, until Friday 24 May 2024. Applicants that have made an Expression of Interest will be contacted by email when the Expression of Interest period closes and invited to prepare and submit business plans for their proposals to operate Kirkham Pool.
Fylde Council is facilitating the Expression of Interest process with the permission of YMCA Fylde Coast.
A voluntary and community body is defined in the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012.
If you represent a voluntary or community body and are interested in taking on the ownership and operation of Kirkham Pool, it is suggested you look through the Active Lancashire Sport and Leisure Provision Consultation and the Options Appraisal Study for Kirkham Pool in the Supporting Actions below.
During this period the Council’s Community Focus Scrutiny Committee and Executive Committee will be considering reports on the project to support swimming provision. Details of the agendas and reports can be found at the links below.
Government funding
Funding may be available from central government departments, local government, and government agencies for voluntary and community groups interested in potentially operating Kirkham pool:
- Lancashire County Council provides a free-to-use Lancashire County Council 4 Community online search tool. Click here to register and find out more.
- Crowdfund Lancashire from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund (LCSF) is an initiative to support culture and sport in Lancashire. Click here to find out more.
- There is a sum of £50,337 within the annual Fylde Council revenue base budget identified as subsidy budget for Kirkham Baths.
- Some of the town/parish councils previously made a contribution to the running of Kirkham Pool when it was operated by the YMCA.
- The Community Ownership Fund is a £150 million fund over 4 years to support community groups across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community. Click here to find out more.
