Sad Day for St Annes Swimming Pool

Just days after revealing a bright future for St Annes' seafront, Fylde Borough Council has boarded up St Annes Swimming Pool.

Council workers boarded over al of the pool's windows after the much-loved facility was shut down on August 1.

In the last few days of operation, hundreds of sad locals had one last swim at the pool - closed by the cash-strapped authority in controversial circumstances.

The boarded-up building has been blasted by local residents.

One - who did not wish to be named - said: "It is appalling. If anyone applied for planning permission to do this to a building on the promenade, the Council would be up in arms and taking action to improve the situation.

"What kind of image does it give of St Annes - that the town is slowly dying and nothing is being done to make the best of it."

An investigation has even been launched into how the meeting - held to discuss the potential closure of the facility - was run.

Officers have boarded up the pool in a bid to protect the abandoned building from vandalism.

The action is in stark contrast to Fylde Council's plans for the area. Officers are currently drawing up plans to rejuvinate the area, with proposals for a museum, top-class hotel development - or a leisure facility some of the possibilities.

Last Edited: 06/08/2008