The Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre in Smethwick, a community fixture for 125 years, is set to be demolished to pave the way for much-needed housing development. Sandwell Council announced its intention to flatten the aging facility, describing it as “surplus to requirements” amid escalating maintenance costs.
The council estimates the demolition will cost approximately £711,000. Initial proposals envision between 30 and 45 new homes, with potential expansion to as many as 80 flats and houses on the site adjacent to Smethwick Cricket Club.
During a cabinet meeting scheduled for March 11, the Labour-controlled council will consider the plans, which reflect a broader strategic review of the borough’s leisure provisions. The Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre is recognized as the oldest and most deteriorated leisure facility in Sandwell. A 2018 survey estimated a full refurbishment—including essential rewiring, new boilers, and roof repairs—would require an investment of at least £1.5 million.
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The centre ceased operations informally in May last year and had been vacant since October 2023. Its services have since partly transferred to the new £73 million Sandwell Aquatics Centre, constructed for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and opened to the public in 2023. This modern facility also led to the closure of other local pools, including Thimblemill Baths and Langley Baths.
Sandwell Council’s recent plans to close the Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre and divest Hadley Stadium aim to generate savings exceeding £500,000 annually. Although some savings have been realized through alternative measures, finalizing the site’s future is expected to enhance the sustainability of Sandwell’s broader leisure estate.
The council report highlighted ongoing deterioration, pointing to significant roof leaks and water damage that have worsened since the 2018 assessment. The building now requires urgent repairs beyond sporadic cosmetic fixes. Considering rising repair costs, the limited size of the facility, and access to upgraded alternatives nearby, the council deems retaining the centre financially imprudent.
Local councillor Ashley Lewis has previously criticized the neglect of key venues like Hadley Stadium, attributing its decline to prolonged underinvestment and deliberate management decisions. Sandwell Council currently contracts Sandwell Leisure Trust (recently rebranded as Kore Sandwell) to operate its leisure facilities for £4 million annually, although responsibility for major repairs remains with the council. This agreement is set to expire in 2027.
Historically, the site was gifted to Smethwick Urban District Council in 1899 by Harry Mitchell himself. Originally, the donation came with use restrictions, but a 2024 report confirmed these were lifted by a 1967 deed. The 3Ks Judo Club occupies a standalone building on the premises under a long-term lease. The club has expressed willingness to relocate within Smethwick and is considering a former council office on Ford Street as a potential new base, despite concerns over ceiling height and renovation costs. Discussions with Kore Sandwell and the council about overcoming these challenges are ongoing.
With demolition set to clear the way for modern housing, the move represents a significant change in the area’s landscape, reflecting shifting priorities in public amenities and urban development.