Swimmers and campaigners have long called for improvements to the ageing site
Hythe Swimming Pool(Image: Google / Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A beleaguered swimming pool may be in line for a £6 million overhaul under a council’s plan to boost leisure facilities. Hythe Swimming Pool was described as being “on its last legs” by Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) former leader, Cllr David Monk (Con).
“We need a new one,” he previously said, explaining that an all-new facility was supposed to come as part of the controversial Prince’s Parade development. However, the Green-led administration, which took over FHDC in 2023, scrapped the ill-fated 150 beachfront homes project, which had lost the authority £4.4m.
Now, FHDC has included the Hythe Pool revamp in its draft 2026/27 budget, though final approval is still awaited. Official council papers show the cost would be met through a combination of developer contributions and existing capital reserves.
Swimmers and campaigners have long called for improvements to the ageing South Road site, which has faced maintenance issues in recent years. The building had already long been ailing, despite a £184,000 makeover in 2016, and its roof suffered severe damage the same year. In 2020, traces of Legionella were found in the pool’s showers.
Folkestone Swimming Club chairman Ian Howes welcomed the proposals but urged the council to handle the matter carefully. His group was previously based at the nearby Folkestone Sports Centre, but was forced to relocate to Dymchurch New Beach after the centre unexpectedly shut in July 2024.
The charity running it said it could no longer afford to operate the centre, resulting in 144 job losses. “There have been stories in the past about whether Hythe Pool was to have any further problems; it would just be closed and knocked down because it was in such poor repair,” Mr Howes said.
“Any refurbishment will make absolute sense. That is quite a big investment in terms of the redevelopment of a relatively small facility, so hopefully that would allow them to sort out a lot of the problems they have there.
“Any progress that can be made on that is only a good thing.” He warned that closing Hythe Pool for refurbishments while Folkestone Sports Centre remains shut could be “a travesty for swimmers.
“There will therefore be no swimming pool available in the district for any club to train,” he said. Cllr Stephen Bailey, Hythe Town Council member and the mayor, said the pool is “a very well-used asset within the town.”
“Having the facility locally for children to learn to swim is so important for me as a father, but also for the community in general. The pool is used by all ages, from children up to the elderly, for wellbeing and fitness. I’d wholeheartedly welcome any money being spent on the pool.”
A spokesperson for FHDC added: “The possible refurbishment of Hythe Pool is one of the options that councillors will be considering over the coming months as the council works to agree a sport and leisure strategy for the district.” Residents can have their say in the ongoing consultation via the council’s website before councillors make a final decision later this year.
