Melksham Town Council has agreed to enter negotiations with Wiltshire Council to acquire the former Blue Pool site, which may also incorporate the Assembly Hall in its redevelopment. This opportunity has been labelled a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ chance for the town.
Councillors have long discussed the potential of the Blue Pool and Assembly Hall sites as a potential site for a new facility or venue. At a recent full council meeting, Cllr Phil Alford, who is also a Wiltshire Council representative, warned that failing to act could leave the council “as another council that has not delivered for the town.” Cllr Jon Hubbard has also urged the council to ‘seize the opportunity’ and move as quickly as possible. He said the fact that nothing had been done with this was “one of the biggest disappointments of the last four years.”
The Blue Pool closed its doors in 2022, with its services relocated to the newly built campus. In June 2023, the town council announced a chance to acquire the site, owned by Wiltshire Council, prompting discussions about its future use. Options include integrating it with the Assembly Hall, which is owned by the town council, or developing a new facility to replace both sites.
Two months later, the Friends of Melksham Assembly Hall group presented a business case advocating for the combined use of the sites. While town councillors welcomed the proposal, some expressed concerns about the lack of consultation with the council and noted that the future of the sites was due to be reviewed by the Assembly Hall working group.
During a recent town council meeting, the proposal to negotiate with Wiltshire Council was revisited. Cllr Alford urged immediate action, stressing that the opportunity may not last. “If we continue to delay our decision, we risk losing this chance and becoming just another council that hasn’t delivered for the town or adequately addressed the future of the Assembly Hall,” he said.
Cllr Hubbard highlighted the need for transparency regarding the funding of the project. “The most challenging aspect of this will be the finances. Whether we opt for refurbishment or a rebuild, we will need to borrow money. Please don’t think we can afford it from reserves – those days are gone.
“We are going to be borrowing money, which means we have to demonstrate public support for what we want to do and for the fact that it is going to cost people.”
Councillors unanimously supported moving forward with negotiations, and the town clerk will initiate talks with Wiltshire Council regarding the future of the facility. The town council will further discuss plans for the site.
