Rapidly rising charges for Better-run swimming pools have pushed the borough’s biggest swimming club to the brink while others face council rent hikes, reports James Cracknell

Young swimmers from Enfield Swim Squad pictured outside Southbury Leisure Centre last month

Local sports clubs from across Enfield have said they face threats to their survival amid a slew of rent hikes for the venues they use.

A number of different clubs contacted the Dispatch last month over concerns they might not be able to continue operating once the new charges take effect.

Those impacted include Swim Enfield, which has said the cumulative effect of price increases for swimming lane hire, since local leisure centres came under new management, is potentially ruinous.

Swim Enfield said its rental costs for swimming pools run by Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), which manages five local leisure centres on behalf of Enfield Council under its brand name Better, will have risen by around 60% since 2023 once the new changes take effect. GLL took over the council’s leisure contract in December of that year.

Tennis and lawn bowling clubs using council-owned venues also face significant rent rises this year, although many remain in negotiation with the civic centre.

Sandra Soulas, Swim Enfield’s operations manager, told the Dispatch: “We are the umbrella organisation for all competitive swimming in the borough and teach swimming skills for children as young as four.

“Our ‘learn to swim’ programme is the backbone of the club, it provides a talent pool as well as an income for us – but the new prices would take that away and put GLL in a monopoly position.”

Rob Howe, chair of Enfield Swim Squad, the competitive arm of Swim Enfield, added: “We support around 1,500 swimmers, including teenagers who swim with us up to seven times per week, who show a dedication to excellence. These young people could be doing other things but sport gives them a direction in life.”

Although Enfield Swim Squad’s coaches are paid for their time, the people who run the organisation are volunteers and it operates as a not-for-profit social enterprise. Rob added: “We never got into swimming for the money, none of us get rich out of it, this is about a passion for sport and trying to do the right thing for young people.”

If the proposed price increases go through, however, Swim Enfield would be forced to drastically cut its swimming hours for young people. The club is already dipping into its reserves to continue operating.

Asked to respond, Vishal Karia, GLL’s partnership manager, said: “As a charitable social enterprise, GLL is committed to providing affordable leisure services to all members of the community. At the same time, we must ensure that the fees we charge enable us to invest in our staff, living wage, customer programmes and facilities, while still offering concessions.

“Due to the historic lack of price increases for a number of years, we are now taking a stepped approach moving towards a market rate value for the facilities, products and programmes.

“Increased costs in energy over recent years have resulted in significantly higher running costs and there has also been an historic lack of price increases. As a result, a review of hire prices has taken place and GLL is working towards a consistent rate across all of its venues.

“GLL and Enfield Council have committed to keeping Swim Enfield’s prices at the November rates until the end of the year for their club sessions, while introducing a gradual increase for their commercial learn to swim programme.

“We are also working with Swim England to explore other ways to support the club, including funding applications and promoting the club to increase participation.”

Sandra and Rob’s research of prices other London clubs are charged by GLL suggests Enfield’s are as much as four times higher than the cheapest boroughs. Swim Enfield’s total bill in the last year under previous operator Fusion was £178,000, but for next year could hit £280,000. They deny their club is “commercial”.

Joanne Laban, a Conservative councillor and keen swimmer, said: “I am appalled that Enfield’s Labour council has not worked with its contractor to resolve this issue so that Swim Enfield can continue.

“It is essential that Enfield Council continues to support Swim Enfield, an organisation that provides such a positive outlet for young people through its learn to swim and competitive sections.

“I know from being in swimming myself previously, the skills, friendships and experience gained through being involved in a swimming club.”

Last month the Dispatch also heard that lawn bowling clubs at Pymmes Park, Arnos Grove and Cockfosters, among others, had been asked by the council to pay significantly higher rents. However, none wished to comment publicly at the current time as negotiations were ongoing.

Brakendale Tennis Club in Winchmore Hill, meanwhile, has been hit with a retrospective demand for rent as well as a quadrupling of its current rate. Lee Chamberlain, a Tory councillor for Winchmore Hill, said: “It’s a crazy situation which could see these clubs driven into bankruptcy.”

The council declined to comment.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.