Kirkham Swimming Pool has been a valued community facility for many years. This page provides information about the pool’s closure, the steps taken since, and plans for its future.
Following a historic £9.3 million investment approved by Full Council in January 2026, Kirkham Baths is set to reopen. The Council is working with Places Leisure to deliver a fully restored facility with a reconditioned pool, new fitness suite, and refurbished changing rooms.
These images are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change.
Current Status – June 2026
Kirkham Baths is moving steadily towards its transformation, and we’re pleased to share the latest progress on this much-loved community facility.
Following Full Council’s approval of a £9.3 million investment in swimming in St Annes and Kirkham, the most ambitious leisure investment in Fylde Council’s history, the early enabling works at Kirkham Baths have now been completed. Earlier this year, local contractor Warden Construction Ltd completed a programme of internal scaffolding, specialist asbestos removal, and a substantial strip-out of fixtures and fittings – work that also provided high-level access to inspect the roof structure and uncovered historic elements of the building. Delivered safely, on time and within budget, these behind-the-scenes steps are crucial foundations for the full restoration ahead.
Places Leisure, part of the UK’s leading social enterprise Places for People, has now brought together a full team of specialist designers who are actively shaping the new scheme. Their task is to create a modern, fully compliant pool and leisure facility – with a refurbished pool, gym and changing facilities – while honouring the historic character that makes Kirkham Baths such an important part of the town’s identity.
Over the coming months, the project will move through detailed design, further surveys, consultation and planning. Given the age and condition of the building, this is a complex redevelopment that must be done carefully to protect its historic fabric while meeting today’s safety and accessibility standards. It is expected that the main construction phase will commence next year, with the aim of opening the new facility to the public in 2028. As plans develop, we’ll be sharing visuals and further updates so the community can see the transformation take shape.
The investment in Kirkham Baths sits alongside our wider work to secure long-term swimming provision across the borough and reflects our commitment to providing modern, high-quality leisure facilities close to where people live.
Thank you for your patience and continued support as we deliver this major project for Kirkham and the surrounding rural communities.
Timeline: Key Milestones
The timeline below shows the key developments since Kirkham Pool’s closure. Click on each milestone to expand and read more details.
Places Leisure formally took over operations on 1 April 2026. Design and pre-commencement work is now underway, with construction phasing to be confirmed in the coming months.
Local contractor Warden Construction began a seven-week programme of enabling works on 9 February 2026. Works included internal scaffolding, specialist asbestos removal, and structural surveys to assess the building’s condition ahead of the main restoration.
Fylde Council’s Full Council approved a transformative £9.3 million package on 27 January 2026. The investment will see Kirkham Baths fully restored with a reconditioned pool, new fitness suite, and refurbished changing rooms, and St Annes Pool completely modernised. Places Leisure was confirmed as operator for both sites under a 15-year contract.
Places Leisure has been appointed as the preferred bidder for the new Fylde Leisure Management Contract. The council is exploring investment options as part of this contract that could enable the opening of Kirkham Pool.
Decision making is currently underway, with final contract details including whether Kirkham Pool will be refurbished and reopened to be confirmed by the end of January 2026 following approval at Full Council.
Kirkham Pool was included in the competitive tender process for leisure management across the borough, alongside St Annes Swimming Pool. The tender invited operators to submit proposals for potential restoration if affordable options could be identified that allow investment across both sites.
Fylde Council officially regained ownership of the Kirkham Pool site. The approved funding enabled urgent preservation works to begin, protecting the building from further deterioration while future plans are developed.
The Executive Committee allocated an additional in annual revenue funding for ongoing site security and monitoring, in addition to approximately £50,000 in existing costs. The Council also approved £150,000 in capital investment for essential preservation works to protect the building from further deterioration.
An Expression of Interest was submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. While this application was not successful, the council continues to explore funding opportunities to support potential restoration.
Following the CIC’s withdrawal, Fylde Council’s Executive Committee approved plans to acquire Kirkham Pool from the YMCA for a nominal sum of £1. This decision demonstrated the council’s commitment to preserving the facility and exploring future options for swimming provision.
An Expression of Interest period ran from April to May 2024, inviting voluntary and community bodies to submit proposals. One Community Interest Company (CIC) submitted a business plan, which the council worked to support and develop. However, in December 2024, the CIC withdrew from the process, citing challenges in developing a sustainable business model.
The YMCA submitted a Disposal Plan to Fylde Council as required under the 2009 agreement. Following discussions between the council and YMCA, a plan was agreed in March 2024 that allowed community groups to express interest in taking on the facility and develop business plans for its operation.
In response to the closure, Full Council passed a Notice of Motion on 2 October 2023, resolving to explore all practicable options to support swimming provision in Fylde and work with partners and stakeholders to maintain access to swimming facilities.
On 10 August 2023, the YMCA Kirkham Rural Splash facility closed permanently due to significant structural damage caused by Storm Arwen in December 2021. Despite efforts to repair the damage, the high costs of replacing the damaged roof and addressing aging infrastructure made reopening economically unviable for the YMCA.
The early enabling works at Kirkham Baths have been completed – delivered safely, on time, and within budget. Places Leisure has now assembled a full team of specialist designers who are actively shaping the restoration scheme. Their work will move through detailed design, surveys, consultation, and planning over the coming months. The main construction phase is expected to begin in 2027, with the aim of opening the new facility to the public in 2028.
