Willenhall Leisure Centre to close

Willenhall Leisure Centre will shut in September despite a desperate campaign from hundreds of people to save it, it was revealed today.

An outdoor activity centre used by Walsall schoolchildren since the 1960s is also being axed as part of cost-cutting measures by Walsall Council, which needs to save £50million over the next three years.

In February, council bosses agreed to give the Bath Street leisure centre a three-month stay of execution in a bid to let supporters prove they could increase use. Prices and opening hours were reduced and half the workforce was moved to other leisure centres.

But a report to the aurthority has revealed that the measures had also led to reduced attendance and income.

The ailing centre costs Walsall tax payers £456,700 a year to operate, whilst generating an annual income of £178,725. Attendances in 2009/10 were fewer than 92,000.

Leisure chief Anthony Harris said: "This has by no means been an easy decision.

"But frankly, we can't afford to keep it open. We're in a difficult financial position and tough decisions have to be made."

Council leader Mike Bird, added: "It's costing us an arm and a leg to subsidise it and the simple truth is it isn't being used enough."