Petition launched in protest at Link4Life job cuts

Rochdale Leisure Centre

A petition has been launched in protest at job cuts at Link4Life.

The petition, started by Cat Jessop from Littleborough, opposes cuts to staff and facilities at the leisure centre in Rochdale.

Ms Jessop wrote: “In January 2018 Link4Life announced cuts across its services - this has already had a direct effect on the running of Rochdale Leisure Centre.”

A 'consultation' with employees is to begin which Link4Life says is to deliver what it calls an 'efficiency programme'.

• https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/115595/link4life-staff-facing-job-losses
• https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/129/letters-to-the-editor/115701/letter-link4life-staff-facing-job-loss-deserve-answers-to-questions
• https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/129/letters-to-the-editor/115665/letter-statement-from-andy-king-ceo-of-link4life
• https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/129/letters-to-the-editor/115653/letter-calling-on-council-leader-to-intervene-at-link4life
• https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/129/letters-to-the-editor/115591/-letter-gym-members-unhappy-at-link4life-job-losses

Ms Jessop continued: “Frequently members and users are being given limited access to facilities, including use of just half the swimming pool. As a result there is overcrowding in the limited space available to swim. Half a pool is not enough to cater for all. Those who use the pool to train cannot swim lengths easily, families are limited in the area they can play and nervous swimmers are left feeling intimidated by the cramped conditions.

Local pool user Ian Connolly, who regularly swims at the Link4Life pool in Rochdale, agrees. He said: “During the public swim between 9pm and 10pm at night, only half of the pool is in use. This is after the swimming clubs have been in, yet there is not enough space for everybody.”

He added: “Apparently this rule was implemented just after Christmas and staff have told me it is so they can clean up and get off earlier.”

A Link4Life spokesman said: “Like every public-based facility or service, our venues experience periods where they are less busy. During periods of very low pool use such as in the late evening, we reduce the pool size. This enables us to deploy staff members to other areas of the leisure centre to carry out other duties. Should the pool area become more busy, the Manager will move them back to poolside to enable use of the full pool area as required”.

To sign the petition, visit:

https://www.change.org/p/keep-all-of-rochdale-swimming-pool-open