The Morris Centre swimming pool, located at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site in Selly Oak, Birmingham, is set to close indefinitely on December 31 due to significant safety and structural concerns. The facility, which serves NHS staff, their families, injured soldiers, school groups, and local clubs, faces substantial repair costs that could put its future in doubt.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) announced that detailed structural and technical surveys will be conducted to determine the full extent of repairs required to bring the pool up to standard. The building urgently needs roof repairs, and much of the pool’s essential plant equipment has reached the end of its operational life, making any refurbishment a costly endeavor.
An email sent to Morris Centre members explained that once the full costs are established, UHB will review funding options and communicate plans and timelines accordingly. The Trust recognizes the pool’s importance to NHS staff wellbeing and recruitment but stresses that member safety is paramount.
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The email also indicated that the gym facilities will remain open at least until March 31, 2026, while their long-term viability is assessed. Membership options are being adjusted: swim-only memberships will end on December 31, with members advised to cancel standing orders, while full memberships will convert to gym-only from January.
Long-standing member James Butler described the club as a “precious haven” that supports nearly 4,500 members, many of whom work at the hospital or are their families. He emphasized the pool’s role in maintaining physical and mental fitness for hospital workers and highlighted its value for swimming clubs catering to children, people with disabilities, and families of injured veterans.
Butler noted the lack of investment in the facility over the past 60 years and pointed out the limited alternatives for affordable, accessible swimming in the area. Local MP Preet Gill has also expressed concern and is urging UHB to reconsider the closure given the pool’s community significance.
Sharon Close, another community member, called the closure a “sad loss” for NHS staff and disability groups, hopeful that the pool might be saved.
A UHB spokesperson expressed regret over the closure but confirmed that the pool will remain shut due to the severe safety risks. They reassured that the gym and other center facilities will continue operating to support members’ health and wellbeing for the foreseeable future.