Penrith Swimming Club says it has been left in limbo after receiving what it describes as contradictory messages from GLL/Better and Westmorland and Furness Council over the future of its Learn to Swim programme.
Penrith Swimming Club says it is seeking urgent clarity over the future of its established Learn to Swim provision at Penrith Leisure Centre after the club was initially told that the programme would have to end from 1 September 2026.
The announcement was made to the club's committee on 1 August, during its summer break, prompting volunteers, coaches and committee members to reconvene and begin working on the issue during one of the few breaks in the club's calendar.
PSC says that at a subsequent meeting, GLL's Partnership Manager told the club that its Learn to Swim provision crossed a GLL "red line" and that there was no room for negotiation over its continuation.
According to the club, it was also told that the proposed change was intended to increase numbers within GLL's own Learn to Swim programme.
Following representations from the club, the deadline has now been moved from 1 September 2026 to 1 January 2027.
While PSC has welcomed the additional time, it says the fundamental issue remains unresolved.
A club spokesperson said:
"Privately, we have been told our provision crosses GLL's red line and cannot continue. Publicly, we are being told there should be no threat to our future.
"Moving the deadline to January doesn't resolve that contradiction. We don't need another deadline. We need a solution."
Council says there is ‘no threat’ to club's future
The dispute has intensified following comments from Westmorland and Furness Council.
The Council has now issued a detailed statement saying that no decision has been made on the future of the club's Learn to Swim programme and that discussions involving the Council, GLL, Penrith Swimming Club and Swim England are continuing.
The Council said:
"We absolutely want to ensure there is no threat to the future of the swimming club."
It also acknowledged that communication surrounding the issue had not been as clear as it should have been.
The Council apologised for "any confusion about the scope of the review" and for any misconceptions about the club's current activities and practices that may have arisen.
It specifically clarified that previous references to responsibilities, safeguarding, qualifications, facility use and operational procedures were intended to describe standard considerations around leisure contracts.
The Council said there was "no suggestion of impropriety" on the part of Penrith Swimming Club or its volunteers.
It also recognised that the club has maintained the highest level of Swim England club accreditation for 10 consecutive years.
The Council says the review concerns only Penrith Swimming Club's Learn to Swim programme for beginners.
It says the club's club-ready sessions, talent pathways and competitive swimming activities are not part of the review, with no proposed changes to those activities or the club's use of the leisure centre pools for them.
However, the Council says it must consider whether the Penrith and Eden communities would be best served by:
A single beginner Learn to Swim programme operated by GLL; or
Separate beginner Learn to Swim programmes operated by GLL and Penrith Swimming Club.
The Council says Swim England is supporting the process.
No final decision has been made and meetings are scheduled to take place during late August and September.
The dispute over a formal agreement
One of the issues at the centre of the discussions is the fact that Penrith Swimming Club does not currently have a formal agreement covering its Learn to Swim programme.
The Council says this is the result of historic arrangements that developed over the many years the club has operated from Penrith Leisure Centre.
It stresses that there is no suggestion that the lack of a formal agreement was intentional or that the club is at fault.
According to the Council, the club has been working with it since 2023 to look at formalising the arrangement.
The Council says that if the outcome of the review is that PSC's Learn to Swim programme continues, a formal agreement will be put in place.
It is also exploring the possibility of a Community Use Agreement designed to formalise the future relationship between the club and leisure centre.
Club challenges earlier wording
PSC has repeatedly challenged earlier Council wording referring to "responsibilities, safeguarding, qualifications, facility use and operational procedures".
The club says the wording created an unfair impression about its existing standards and has asked the Council to clarify and correct the public record.
The Council has now acknowledged the concerns and said there was no suggestion of impropriety.
It also praised the club's coaching standards and contribution to swimming in the area.
Penrith Swimming Club was founded in 1881 and is entirely volunteer-run.
More than 40 coaches and administrators support around 160 members.
The club says generations of members have helped fund swimming facilities in Penrith and that it currently contributes more than £40,000 each year in pool hire at Penrith Leisure Centre.
For PSC, the argument is not about resisting the need for proper arrangements.
The club says that if agreements need to be formalised, they should be formalised, but it wants its established pathway from beginner swimming through to club and competitive swimming to remain available.
The club said:
"We want to work with GLL and Westmorland and Furness Council, not against them.
"But if the Council genuinely wants to ensure there is no threat to Penrith Swimming Club, we are asking it to turn those words into action."
Petition passes 1,300 signatures
More than 1,300 people have now signed a petition supporting Penrith Swimming Club's position.
The club is encouraging supporters to sign and share the petition as discussions continue.
It is also asking supporters to attend the public meeting of Penrith Town Council on Monday 24 August 2026 at 6pm, at Unit 2, 19–24 Friargate, Penrith.
What happens next?
For now, the future of the Learn to Swim programme remains unresolved.
GLL has moved the original 1 September deadline to 1 January 2027, while the Council says no decision has yet been made.
The Council says its priority is to find a "positive and sustainable way forward" and has committed to working with PSC, GLL and Swim England.
It also says Penrith Swimming Club remains a valued partner in developing swimming opportunities across Penrith and Eden.
For the club, however, the message is straightforward: it wants certainty that the pathway it has helped build over 145 years will continue.
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