Due to the coronavirus crisis, Greenbank Pool in Street will not open this year, being closed for a whole season for the first time in its history.

After two years of substantial improvements to the changing rooms, a new more environmentally friendly boiler to heat both the pool and wet play area, plus new bins to enable better waste recycling and a new water supply, the Greenbank Pool team were looking forward to welcoming customers through its doors on May 2.

Recent guidance referring to Covid-19 published by the Royal Life Saving Society has made it much clearer that there would need to be significant precautions in place for Greenbank Pool to be able to operate in the 2020 season.

These included resources such as PPE which is already in great demand. With concerns surrounding its timely procurement, also the additional training required for lifeguards with this equipment and sustaining supplies during the season – it was felt that it was going to be very difficult for the pool to safely operate this year.

David Mogg, Greenbank Pool manager, said: "We do realise that many locals will be extremely disappointed with our decision as the pool is a much loved local leisure facility.

"Our biggest concern, however, was for our team and patrons' safety and health. Therefore, it is with much sadness that we have taken the difficult decision to close Greenbank Pool in 2020."

Greenbank Pool celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2017. This is the first time in the pool's history that it will remain closed for a season.

The Greenbank team are looking forward to reopening in 2021.