UK’s pool stock continues to shrink, but less dramatically than last year; Leisure DB releases its State of the UK Swimming Industry Report 2025
London, 22nd July 2025: The UK’s pool stock has shrunk again this year, with the decline more marked in the public than in the private sector.
In the 12 months to 31 March 2025, the total number of UK sites operating a pool fell to 2,882 – a fall of 0.5 per cent since 31 March 2024. This compares to a 2 per cent drop in the previous 12 months.
The total number of pools also fell by 0.4 per cent this year, to 4,257 pools.
These are the headlines of the State of the UK Swimming Industry Report 2025, compiled by market intelligence expert Leisure DB and published today. The full report is available to read, for free, at www.leisuredb.com/publications
Interviewing operators and experts for the report, it is clear this year’s slower rate of decline fails to alleviate concerns over the bigger trend.
Swim England CEO Andy Salmon notes that “76 per cent of the publicly accessible water space lost in the past 15 years has been lost since 2020”, while GLL’s Andrew Clark comments: “Pools are drowning. Without increased support, smaller operators will disappear and pool closures will continue to accelerate.”
There is some good news from within the sector, with many referencing a new era of collaboration and pointing to early wins being achieved by The Swimming Alliance.
Operators interviewed this year also report continued strong demand for swimming; although many acknowledge a plateau being reached following the post-COVID boom, they also report this sitting at a higher level of participation than pre-pandemic.
The average public sector pay-per-swim fee has also risen again, to £5.80, while GLL reports a 10 per cent increase in swimming lesson income following price rises. “In spite of these price rises, sales have rocketed this year. It just shows that in a lot of cases, public leisure is still under-pricing what it does,” says Clark.
Nevertheless, there is broad agreement with the findings of Sport England’s Moving Communities survey (October 2024), which found that although “swimming still represents the most quoted main activity”, people’s “activity mix has changed gradually over the last four years, with swimming decreasing and fitness and group exercise increasing”.
As a result, several operators interviewed this year reference a need for greater innovation and investment – including in programming and staff training – to drive further growth.
“Although there is some good news for the UK’s swim sector – notably where new pools are a major component of regeneration – this year’s State of the UK Swimming Industry Report continues to highlight net losses of pool provision,” says Leisure DB founder David Minton in his foreword to the report.
“Those still operating have to work harder to satisfy the demand from the myriad of users; this report shows how constant innovation and programming continues to drive the carrying capacity of the reduced water volume.”
Alongside interviews, commentary and analysis, this flagship report for the UK’s swim sector also provides a full breakdown of pool numbers and locations, openings and closures, public and private sector leaders, fees, facilities and more.
“Our thanks go to all our expert commentators and, of course, to our partners who have enabled us to share this fantastic report for free,” says Minton.
Read the report now: www.leisuredb.com/publications
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About Leisure DB
The leading independent data specialist for the UK fitness and leisure sector, Leisure DB produces robust market intelligence and analysis across the full scope of an increasingly diverse industry.
For over 30 years, it has used this data to help businesses across the sector achieve their potential – suppliers and operators, independents and multi-sites, public and private, direct and through leisure consultancies.
From in-depth site and customer analysis to market insights, competitor audits and consultancy, Leisure DB harnesses its unique sector expertise, proprietary modelling and constantly-current database to help businesses make strategic decisions with precision and confidence.