Sunny Stourbridge street stall says no to privatising borough leisure centres

Campaigners turned out in force on a sunny Saturday morning in Stourbridge to raise awareness of a lobby of Dudley Council ahead of a crunch vote to keep the borough's leisure centres open and public.

By contributor Hugh Wilkinson

Published Feb 24

Last updated Feb 24

Cllr Andrew Tromans joined campaigners on this sunny Saturday morning

The campaigners were supported on Saturday by local Labour councillors Cat Eccles, Jason Griffin, Cathy Bayton, and Ellen Cobb, and independent councillor Andrew Tromans.

Councillor Ellen Cobb said: “Privatisation could lead to higher prices for customers and a reduction in pay and conditions for staff. We want to safeguard the benefits of these services for everyone and I’m glad to support the street stall.”

Councillor Andrew Tromans said: “It’s Crystal clear that the [Crystal] Leisure Centre is at the heart of Stourbridge. It’s vital that we keep these services in public hands for the benefit of all the community.”

Thanks to the 5,000-signature petition, the campaign will be addressing the council meeting next Monday (March 3).

Cllr and MP Cat Eccles and Cllr Jason Griffin joined campaigners ahead of the lobby on 3 March — Councillor and MP Cat Eccles and Councillor Jason Griffin joined campaigners ahead of the lobby

A lobby of the council will take place at 5.15pm on March 3 outside Dudley Council House, before the council meeting.

Cllrs Cathy Bayton, Ellen Cobb and Andrew Tromans joined forces with campaigners to raise awareness of the plans to privatise the leisure centres and the lobby on 3 March. — Councillors Cathy Bayton, Ellen Cobb and Andrew Tromans joined forces with campaigners to raise awareness of the plans to privatise the leisure centres and the lobby on 3 March.