The council says that due to budget cuts it can’t afford to subsidise the two leisure centres and that closing the sites will ensure it can continue to provide essential services for its most vulnerable residents.

The council will now work with two established Community Asset Transfer (CAT) groups, which are interested in taking over the facilities, as they work towards providing viable business plans for Gateshead Leisure Centre and Birtley Swim Centre. Although the CAT groups are working to different timeframes, both groups are committed to taking on the sites and seek to re-open the leisure centres as soon as is possible, if their business plans are viable.

All staff at these facilities will be redeployed at the remaining centres. Go Gateshead members will continue to have access to four gyms, six swimming pools and two athletics tracks across Blaydon, Dunston, Heworth, Birtley Leisure Centres and Gateshead International Stadium. The remaining facilities now will now have additional staff and have longer opening hours with more access to public swimming, increased swimming lessons and fitness classes.

“We can no longer afford to run the leisure centres and we must bring them in line with their forecasted budget. Our reserves we have are limited, unfortunately we cannot continue to use them to fund the leisure centres. We must focus on our most vulnerable residents and providing them with the best support possible to give them an opportunity to thrive,” said Cllr Angela Douglas, cabinet member for culture.