Residents in Warrington, Cheshire, held a protest at the Town Hall on February 18, 2026, to stop the permanent closure of the Woolston Neighbourhood Hub. The facility has been shut to the public since September 4, 2025, after bacteria was found in the water system.
Warrington Borough Council is now considering closing the building for good because it needs an estimated £3 million in repairs. A public consultation about the site was extended to January 16, 2026, following significant interest and criticism from local people about the process.
The hub is managed by LiveWire and provides a gym, swimming pool, and community spaces. Members of a community campaign group are currently calling for the council to reopen safe areas of the building while long-term plans are finished.
Local resident David described the potential loss of the hub as heartbreaking for vulnerable neighbours who rely on the services. Campaigners are also asking for the council to release more information regarding the high cost of the repair estimates used to justify the closure.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
