Eastbourne's Sovereign Centre announces leisure pool will remain open this winter

The popular leisure pool at Eastbourne’s Sovereign Centre will remain open this winter, giving local families residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy swimming and family fun during the cold months.

For the last two years, the leisure pool has closed for four months over winter, from the end of October half term until the start of February half term. However, operator GLL - which took over the management of the centre in April 2025 – has confirmed that the leisure pool will remain open this winter.

A popular destination for local families, the large leisure pool – known by many locals as the “fun pool” - features a wave machine, flumes and slides, as well as a shallow area for younger swimmers. Keeping it open all winter will be an extremely a popular decision and if the initiative is a success, GLL will look to making all-year opening a permanent fixture.

Eastbourne Borough Council’s Lead Member for Tourism & Place, Cllr Jenny Williams said: “Ensuring that families can continue to enjoy one of Eastbourne's most popular indoor leisure attractions whatever the weather is an exciting step forward for the Sovereign Centre.

“A considerable amount of work has gone into exploring how the leisure pool can remain open in an efficient and sustainable way, so it’s wonderful that we have been able to make it work.”

Phil Dench, Sovereign Centre General Manager, said: “This initiative reflects GLL's ongoing commitment to making physical activity accessible, affordable and enjoyable for everyone in Eastbourne.

“The support of the local community will play an important part in making this a long-term success, with every visit to the leisure pool demonstrating the value of providing year-round access to this much-loved facility.

“We will offering family fun swim and aqua splash sessions over the Christmas holidays and are looking forward to welcoming as many as people as possible.”

The Sovereign Centre is located on Royal Parade in Eastbourne and offers fitness, swimming and family fun. In addition to the leisure pool, there is a 25-metre pool is used for lane swimming and aqua classes, as well as a learner pool for swimming lessons.

The gym boasts cardio machines and free weights and the sports hall and indoor courts host a range of classes and clubs for all ages, including yoga, Pilates, HIIT, group cycle and dance fitness. There is a soft play for younger children, as well as junior fitness classes, gymnastics and birthday parties.

The Sovereign Centre has also recently launched Healthwise, a physical activity referral scheme to support individuals living with long-term medical conditions - or those at risk of chronic illnesses who are currently inactive - by helping them improve their physical and mental wellbeing through exercise.

Eligible to those aged 18 and over, referrals to Healthwise are made by healthcare professionals such as GPs and physiotherapists. It is open to individuals experiencing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, circulatory and respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal issues, anxiety and depression.