£3m Repair Bill Threatens Future of Woolston Neighbourhood Hub

Saving Woolston Neighbourhood Hub: A Community Worth Fighting For

Woolston Neighbourhood Hub is more than just a building. For decades, it has stood at the heart of the community — a place where people of all ages come together to swim, learn, meet friends and stay healthy. But now, the hub faces an uncertain future.

With repair costs estimated at over £3 million, Warrington Borough Council has said it simply doesn’t have the funds needed to fix the damage.

The council, which is under unprecedented financial pressure, is consulting with the public before any decision is made about the hub’s long-term future.

That consultation runs until Friday, 2 January 2026 – and every voice will count.

Deputy Council Leader and cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, Cllr Jean Flaherty, explained:

“The budget pressures we are facing are more significant than ever, and we must be realistic about which services we can afford to provide in the future. The issues at Woolston Hub will be extremely costly to fix – and beyond this immediate cost, the hub has been running on a subsidy from the council for some time, meaning it isn’t financially sustainable as it stands.”

Despite the challenges, the council stresses that no final decision has been made, and residents are encouraged to share their views through the online consultation.

A Hub That Holds the Community Together

For local people, the prospect of losing Woolston Hub feels deeply personal.

The hub is not just a leisure centre. It’s home to the library, doctors’ surgery and numerous community groups and clubs.

From parent-and-toddler sessions and swimming lessons to friendship circles and fitness classes, it’s a place that supports wellbeing, connection and local identity.

Campaign group SOS Woolston, made up of residents determined to keep the hub open, has launched a petition urging everyone in the area to take part in the consultation.

Speaking on the MIX56 Breakfast Show this morning, Cllr Rob Tynan joined Judy and Olwen from the SOS Woolston team to highlight just how vital the facility is.

Have Your Say Before It’s Too Late

Warrington North MP, Charlotte Nichols, has echoed calls for residents to get involved and to respond to the Council’s consultation:

“I know how important the hub is to the local community.”  

“I do not want closure to be the outcome – therefore I am working with the Council, Department for Digital, Media & Sport (DCMS) and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) about how this closure can be avoided and this amenity kept in this area.”

Everyone is encouraged to complete the short Woolston Hub consultation survey.

Taking just a few minutes to have your say could help protect this much-loved community space for generations to come.

Because places like Woolston Hub are about more than bricks and mortar — they’re about people, pride and the spirit of a community that refuses to give up.

Quick Links

• Woolston Hub Consultation Survey
• SOS Woolston
• Sign the Local Petition