The closure of Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre will be discussed at a town council meeting on Wednesday 18th January.

Matt Harrison, Chair of Shepton Mallet Town Council said they had not been aware of plans to close the leisure centre, and had found out about the plans at the same time as everyone else.

On January 6th, news of the centre's closure arrived as a statement posted on the centre's website and social media channels.

It said that the doors would close at the end of this month due to the Covid19 pandemic, rising energy costs and the falling number of people using the facility. The centre, on Charlton Road, said use of the Leisure Centre fitness suite has dropped by around 90% in two years, the number of people booking onto organised classes is now at a level where many are unviable.

Squash court bookings have also reached their lowest point for seven years and annual memberships are at a level which cannot sustain the Leisure Centre into the coming months.

It has, however, been confirmed that Whitstone School is working to ensure the astroturf, sports hall and playing fields will continue to be available to the local community.

The school also exploring potential uses for the long-term use of Leisure Centre site, including developing a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Unit for the region.

Matt Harrison, Chair of Shepton Mallet Town Council said: "On Friday, the town council heard about the imminent closure of Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre. We had no forward notice of this. The Leisure Centre is independent and the town council has no involvement in its owning or operating.

"Many town councillors are shocked and saddened by this news. When the first Covid lockdown was implemented, we financially helped the facility stay open because we believed it was vital to the town's physical and mental health and well-being."

He said he would be meeting with the operators of Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre to gather more information, ahead of an open meeting which will take place in Shepton Mallet Library at 7pm on Wednesday 18th January.

The purpose of the meeting is to:

1. Bring residents up to speed with the situation as much as he is able to

2. Host an open discussion with interested parties about how to provide leisure facilities in the town in the future effectively