Swimming Pool News April 2009

06-29 NEWS:SPN Master pages 11/3/09 17:02 Page 4
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FREE SWIMMING FLOUNDERS ALBION CHEMICALS
BECOMES BRENNTAG
AS FUNDING COLLAPSES
UK AND IRELAND
Albion Chemicals Group,
whose leisure division
However, the Department for supplies chemicals and
Culture, Media and Sport said equipment to the swimming
no more money would be made pool industry, is now to be
available for the scheme in the know as Brenntag UK &
next two years. Ireland.
A DCMS spokesman said: The change fulfils a
“We have always been clear that commitment to adopt the
the £50m of money allocated by global brand identity
central government for free introduced with the
swimming for young people was acquisition of Albion
a substantial contribution to the Chemicals by German-based
costs, but that this is a Brenntag three years ago.
Free swimming – the Government’s offer
has been rejected by 40% of local authorities
partnership with local Albion Chemicals is the
authorities and they may have UK’s leading chemical
to find revenues from their own distributor and a top 50
The high profile flagship But only 60% of councils in budgets or other sources to employer in Yorkshire. From
Government policy offering free England will be starting in April participate.” Yorkshire headquarters the
swimming to children across the because the rest cannot afford The plan to offer free company operates a UK and
country has floundered on the to part-fund the scheme. swimming to pensioners could Eire-wide network of local
funding front. A London Legacy Action also come unstuck through lack customer service depots,
Despite the pledge from spokeswoman said: “The of funding, with 18% of production and distribution
Sports Minister, Andy Burnham, principle is sound but obviously, authorities who will not offer facilities, which include sea-
that ‘2009 is the year to get your quite a few councils have voiced free swimming to pensioners. fed terminals on the
trunks on!’, it seems many will concerns about the funding.” Over 140 councils have Humber Estuary and in
be staying decidedly dry. Criticism has been made of rejected money offered by the Northern Ireland.
The Government had promised the way the funding is allocated government to provide free “Rebranding to Brenntag
access to free swimming for all – based on the number of swimming for children because UK & Ireland positions the
under-16s, as part of the 2012 residents rather than number of they say it is simply not enough business as a global leader
London Olympics legacy. pools in an area. to cover the costs. in chemical distribution
whilst allowing us to
maintain our national
identity and local customer
THREE YEAR DECLINE IN US IS A RECORD
service infrastructure,” says
Managing Director Clare
Pool Corporation, the world’s largest swimming pool supplies company says in its latest financial report Waters.
that the majority of its business is now driven by maintenance and repair of existing pools with under 20% “Brenntag is investing
of sales and gross profits tied to new pools. heavily in Albion’s UK
The company says it has seen the first three year decline in new pool construction in swimming pool operations and is
industry history. “Since these trends worsened throughout 2007 and 2008, they had a more pronounced committed to preserving
impact on our results for the year ended 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Given the current our status as a successful UK
economic conditions, we believe these trends could continue into 2009. This may result in an even greater market leader.”
impact on new pool construction and consumer spending.“ The change will not affect
Albion’s operational
management and its regional
UK depot network will
remain intact.
Rebecca’s pool says no to free sessions
The company’s swimming
pool involvement includes
The pool where Nottinghamshire’s Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington supplying schools, both
learnt to swim will not be putting on free sessions for under-16s. public and private, health
Mansfield District Council says it cannot afford to put on the free clubs, holiday and
sessions at any of its pools, including Sherwood Baths in Mansfield adventure parks and
Woodhouse. municipal and trust-owned
The authority said other services would suffer if it laid on the swimming pools.
free sessions.
The council plans to rename Sherwood Baths the Rebecca Adlington
Swimming Centre after it has undergone a £5m revamp.
6 swimming pool news APRIL 09 Digital edition available at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
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