A COMMUNITY group will not be taking over Bingley Pool until a year later than planned.

Bradford Council today announced that it would continue to run the pool until September 2021. The original plan was that it would be handed to the Friends of Bingley Pool this September following years of planning.

But due to the Coronavirus pandemic the planned Community Asset Transfer has been put back.

Meanwhile, the Council will continue to operate Bingley Pool, when it reopens to the public and local schools, after Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.

The town’s pool and gym has faced an uncertain future in recent years, with the Council announcing in 2013 that it was due to be closed as part of a major shake up in the District’s leisure offer.

Bingley pool to stay open, with community group taking over

The Friends of Bingley Pool was set up to try to retain the important facility in the town centre.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The coronavirus crisis has disrupted many of our services, including our local pools and leisure centres, so it would be unfair to expect this transfer to go ahead by the original date of September this year.

“We are also very keen for the transfer of Bingley Pool to a Community Asset to be a success, so that residents and school can continue to have a local swimming pool. So are happy to extend the timescale by 12 months for FOBP to prepare for this.”