Listing hope in drive to keep centre open

Campaigners fighting to save a leisure centre will investigate if it could become a listed building.

They believe getting the building in Bath Street, Willenhall, recognised as a site of historical or cultural interest may stop closure.

Walsall Council earmarked it for closure to help save £12 million but last week, after pressure from Willenhall people and councillors, it was given a six month stay of execution for people to find a viable solution or see it go.

Getting it listed is one idea put forward by a newly-constituted campaign group, which met on Saturday.

The group, now formally known as The Friends of Willenhall Leisure Centre, also wants a meeting with Walsall Council chief executive Paul Sheehan and new leisure chief Councillor Anthony Harris.

They say they will explore possible funding options such as a lottery grant.

Friends chairman Diane Coughlan said: "If we got it listed they would not be able to knock it down and we could then try to get some funding so we can get it refurbished."

Willenhall Operatic Society, who have rehearsed and performed at The Mill Theatre, Sedgley, for six years, attended.

Member John Wiley said: "Willenhall Operatic Society was forced out of Willenhall because of a lack of facilities and high costs.

"But when we moved out of Willenhall we lost a lot of our audience members."

Campaigners discussed bringing groups such as boxers, Army cadets and a youth theatre in. Walsall Council says it will no longer pay the £4.54 needed for each person visiting a centre used by swimmers, sequence dancers and sports clubs.

l English Heritage has lodged an application for Coseley baths, Pear Tree Lane, to be listed as a designated site of special architectural, historical or cultural interest. If listed special planning permission would be needed to demolish.