Residents across Fylde are celebrating today after councillors gave the green light to the most ambitious leisure investment in the Council’s history. Full Council last night approved a transformative £9.3 million package that will see St Annes Pool completely modernised and Kirkham Baths reopened for the community.
The main pools at both sites will remain at the heart of the facilities, continuing to provide swimming lessons, lane swimming and community swimming sessions for residents of all ages and abilities. St Annes Pool will be transformed with modern leisure facilities, while Kirkham Baths will be fully restored with a reconditioned pool and new fitness suite, and historic features protected where possible. Plans for additional facilities at St Annes, including a gym, health suite, indoor splash pad and café, are being developed and full details will be shared with residents once designs are finalised.
The Kirkham Baths investment is subject to the outcome of detailed condition surveys currently underway. The Council has committed to progressing with Kirkham providing the surveys confirm the works can be delivered within an affordable budget.
The Council will be working in partnership with Places Leisure to deliver the investment to both sites under a 15-year contract. The investment has been structured to deliver long-term value for residents, with the Council expecting to save over £600,000 across the life of the contract compared to current budget provisions. The funding package uses a combination of Council reserves and borrowing, ensuring that this ambitious project is both affordable and financially sustainable for the future, whilst delivering a much improved, quality offering.
With vast experience in redevelopment and investment projects, Places Leisure will complete the works at both sites on the Council’s behalf. Fylde Council will maintain oversight throughout the delivery programme to ensure residents receive the high-quality, sustainable leisure facilities this investment is designed to provide.
Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Today marks the end of a long journey and is a proud day for Fylde. Our residents told us how much swimming matters to them, and we have listened. This historic investment secures the future of both pools and brings swimming back to rural Fylde. Access to swimming is especially important for children, giving them the chance to learn a vital life skill that keeps them safe and active for life. This investment shows what can be achieved when we put our communities first, and I am thrilled that families across the borough will have modern, high quality leisure facilities on their doorstep.”
Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, added: “Seeing Kirkham Baths reopen and St Annes Pool transformed has been a priority for so many of us. After many hours of dedicated work by the Council to get these projects off the ground and restore these two vital facilities, this decision delivers on that promise, and we remain committed to seeing Kirkham through provided the condition surveys confirm it can be delivered affordably. Swimming and fitness are so important for health, wellbeing and bringing communities together, and I cannot wait to see residents of all ages making the most of these brilliant facilities.”
Dan Walker, Business Development Director at Places Leisure, said: “Both St Annes Pool and Kirkham Baths have always been much-loved leisure facilities within the local community. This investment will see both sites transformed into stand-out modern facilities for all to enjoy whilst also improving access for the community to be physically active.
“Places Leisure is proud to have the opportunity to support the reopening of Kirkham Baths. We have a wide and varied experience of delivering these types of investment works across the country. We look forward to working closely with the local community as the plans and work progress to then welcoming people through the doors as we begin to manage and operate the site alongside St Annes Pool.”
Places Leisure, part of the UK’s leading social enterprise Places for People, will formally take over operations on 1 April 2026, alongside beginning the design and pre-commencement work. The Council is working closely with Places Leisure to finalise delivery arrangements, with works planned to be sequenced carefully to minimise disruption. Further details on timescales and construction phasing will be announced in the coming months as plans progress.
Find out more at our dedicated swimming webpage: www.fylde.gov.uk/swimming-in-fylde
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