A swimming club has warned it could be forced to close within the next year if what it describes as inequitable pool hire charges set by Monmouthshire County Council are not urgently reviewed.

The long-established, not-for-profit Chepstow Swimmimg Club, based at the leisure centre, says it has spent more than six months engaging constructively with the Council in an effort to resolve the issue. While the club appreciates the Council’s efforts to support increased membership, the only proposals to reduce costs so far have focused on cutting pool time — a move the club says would directly undermine swimmer development, restrict recruitment, and further strain capacity in an already limited 20-metre pool.

In Monmouthshire, Chepstow and Caldicot operate 20-metre pools, while Monmouth and Abergavenny leisure centres operate 25-metre pools — 25% longer. Despite this significant difference in facility size, all pools are charged at the same per-lane hire rate.

The club argues this creates a fundamental inequality. A shorter pool limits the number of swimmers who can train safely and effectively in each session, directly reducing income potential while operating costs remain identical.

Gail Webber, Chair of the Swimming Committee, said: “We are facing the very real possibility of closure within the next 12 months if this continues. Reducing pool time is not a solution — it weakens development, limits access for local children and families, and ultimately shrinks the club.

We are simply asking for fairness and transparency in how pool hire is calculated, so that pricing reflects the reality of the facilities in Chepstow.”

Under current charging levels, even if the club operates at maximum membership capacity — and charges significantly higher membership fees than other local swimming clubs — the model is not financially sustainable.

The club currently provides the Council with approximately £25,000 per year in guaranteed private hire income. It believes this income would be extremely difficult to replace if the club were to close, due to pool size limitations, timetable constraints, and existing demand.

Christopher Edwards, local county councillor for St Kingsmark, Chepstow, said: “This club delivers enormous value to local families and operates entirely on a not-for-profit basis. They are not asking for special treatment - only a proportionate and fair pricing structure that reflects the facilities available.

Losing a long-established swimming club over pricing inequity would be deeply damaging to the community.”

The club has raised the issue through the Council’s recent budget consultation and with Cabinet Members directly. I

A spokesman for MCC said : “Monmouthshire County Council applies a unified framework for fees and charges across all leisure centre activities with all four leisure centres featuring swimming pools of varying sizes and offering different facilities. The Council continues to significantly subsidise the fees and charges for all these facilities, including swimming pools, to make them accessible for our communities. The Council has worked closely with Chepstow Swimming Club, to adapt their programme and optimise session attendance to help manage operational costs. The Council will continue to support all local sports and swimming clubs, working collaboratively to identify opportunities that strengthen their long-term sustainability.”