The future of the swimming pool at the PureGym site on Blagdon Road, New Malden is uncertain, following a petition submitted to Kingston Council. The New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee addressed the petition at their meeting on Thursday 11 December 2025.
The petition, submitted by the Kingston Independent Residents Group, calls for the pool to remain open after the change of ownership from Fitness4Less to PureGym. The group stated that the Fitness4Less pool has become a haven for gym users after the demolition of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre. Petitioners expressed concern that PureGym might close the pool to offer cheaper memberships, depriving the borough of a valuable swimming facility.
The petition states that PureGym plan on closing off the pool within the New Malden gym, claiming that this means they can offer a 'cheaper membership' to users.
The meeting information does not contain PureGym's official position on the future of the swimming pool at the Blagdon Road site.
The officer response, detailed in the Petition on retention of swimming pool report, acknowledged the residents' concerns but clarified that the council does not have direct regulatory control over private leisure facilities. However, the report noted a live planning application (ref: 25/02369/FUL) concerning the site, specifically a Variation of Condition Application to remove a restriction on floor space. PureGym has a live planning application (ref: 25/02369/FUL) to remove Condition 2 of planning permission (ref: 98/4151/FUL), which restricts the use of the premises to a health and fitness club. The application seeks to remove the existing restriction on floor space. The submission does not include reference to the removal of a swimming pool.
According to the report, should the removal of the pool be proposed, it would be assessed against the National Planning Policy Framework 2024, the London Plan 2021, and the borough's Core Strategy 2012.
The report also highlighted that the Malden Centre provides alternative swimming pool provision with ample capacity. The Malden Centre has ample capacity for adult swimming within the pool programme, with up to 300 places available across swimming lessons. Additionally there is also a substantial availability in Stage 7 swimming lessons available to children from ages 9-11 and part of the final stage of the core Learn to Swim pathway programme. A PoolPod, an accessibility enhancement, is scheduled for installation in December 2026 to improve access for people with disabilities, older adults, and pregnant women.
Opportunities for formal community involvement take place when planning applications are lodged. It is at this point when the residents are enabled to engage with the planning process, particularly if the proposed development affects them directly.
