Liberal Democrat Councillors at the Marple hub site

A new leisure hub for Marple

For too long Marple has been without an open Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre.

Now, funding has been delivered by Lisa Smart and the Liberal Democrat team for a new £20 million leisure hub. The project will deliver a new swimming pool, library, fitness studio, community spaces and new cycling and walking routes. The hub is a long-standing ambition of the local community since the former Marple Baths had to close five years ago.

Dates for the completion of the new building have not yet been set. Plans to demolish the previous pool have now commenced since agreement was reached on the funding. You can read more about the project here


Timeline of the campaign for a new swimming pool for Marple:

  • A full professional engineering assessment was done on the old pool. This showed that the cost of repairs and works needed to bring the very old structure up to standard would be more than the cost of a new, modern pool.

  • Whilst in opposition at Stockport Council, Liberal Democrats pushed for progress on the pool repeatedly with Council leaders and officers. Councillors forced the item onto the Marple Area Committee Agenda, pushed the case at both the Economy and Regeneration and Corporate Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committees.

  • Councillors requested regular bi-monthly updates on the progress of the pool with Council Officers

  • Liberal Democrat Councillors endeavoured to ensure as many residents as possible took part in consultations about a new proposed pool, assisted with the consultations in person, and ensured that local community groups were involved with discussions.

  • First Levelling Up bid rejected by Government - 2021. Feedback sought from Government on the bid.
  • Liberal Democrats took control of Stockport Council in May 2022 and were now able to push forward progress. Councillors worked closely with Council Officers to develop detailed Levelling Up bids and plan alternative funding options.

  • New Liberal Democrat Cabinet member for Economy and Regeneration requested weekly updates on the progress of the pool project

  • Lisa Smart ensures a query is raised the House of Lords challenging the Government about the progress on Marple Pool.

  • Second Levelling Up bid rejected by Government - January 2023. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration ensured that Council Officers were speaking with Government about alternative funding options.

  • Lisa Smart writes to Secretary of State demanding funding for Marple pool.

  • Residents petition launched

  • New levelling up bid accepted by Government - March 2023. 

If you want to get updates on Marple Leisure Hub, along with other campaigns from your local Liberal Democrat team, sign up below.

Sign up for email updates

You can opt-out at any time
The Liberal Democrats may use the information you provide, including your political opinions, to further our objectives and share it with our elected representatives. Any data we gather will be used in accordance with our privacy policy: libdems.org.uk/privacy. You can exercise your rights and withdraw your consent to future communications by contacting us: data.protection@libdems.org.uk or: DPO, Lib Dems, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN.

We can only deliver campaigns like this with your assistance. Whether that's getting involved or just making a donation, if you can help, please complete the form below. 

Become a volunteer today

We are so pleased you want to join the team. If you already know how you would like to help, let us know below, if not then you can skip those questions and hit the big yellow 'I'm in' button and someone will be in contact. Thank you.

You can opt-out at any time
You can opt-out at any time
I will knock on doors to speak to voters
I will deliver leaflets
I will make phonecalls to voters
I will display a poster at election time
I will help by stuffing envelopes
Would you like to receive email updates?
Would you like to receive phone communication?
The Liberal Democrats may use the information you provide, including your political opinions, to further our objectives and share it with our elected representatives. Any data we gather will be used in accordance with our privacy policy: libdems.org.uk/privacy. You can exercise your rights and withdraw your consent to future communications by contacting us: data.protection@libdems.org.uk or: DPO, Lib Dems, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN.
Hazel Grove

Taking the fight for Marple Pool to the top

Senior members of the House of Commons and Lords heard yesterday from parliamentary candidate Lisa Smart how much of a difference a new swimming pool and leisure centre would make to Marple, and the need for funding to make it a reality.

7 Feb 2023
View

This website uses cookies

Like most websites, this site uses cookies. Some are required to make it work, while others are used for statistical or marketing purposes. If you choose not to allow cookies some features may not be available, such as content from other websites. Please read our Cookie Policy for more information.

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the website to function properly.
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website.
Marketing cookies are used by third parties or publishers to display personalized advertisements. They do this by tracking visitors across websites.