Smashed and broken facilities at a Wiltshire Council-run leisure centre are turning customers away as locals question why nothing has been done.

Lime Kiln Leisure Centre in Royal Wootton Bassett is home to many sport lovers and swim groups, but the reality behind the locker rooms has been described as ‘just shocking’.

Luke Edwards, a Bassett local, went swimming at the leisure centre with his family for the first time over Christmas and was appalled at what he found.

“The lockers in the men’s changing rooms are all unusable, broken and don’t lock, and others have told me it’s been like that for years," he told the Adver.

“There’s nowhere to lock away car keys, iPhones, wallets with bank cards, it’s awful.

“People pay membership at Lime Kiln to use the gym, so where the heck does the money go?” he questioned.

Swindon Advertiser: Lime Kiln Leisure Centre is owned and managed by Wiltshire Council.Lime Kiln Leisure Centre is owned and managed by Wiltshire Council. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Edwards was quick to point out that the pool itself and staff at the leisure centre couldn’t be faulted, but he was angry that Wiltshire Council had allowed their facilities to get into such a state.

The lack of working lockers is a particular safety concern for Otters Swimming Club, who host swimming competitions at the pool and invite outside spectators into the space.

“The changing facilities are just atrocious,” added one mother on Facebook.

“My son began swimming lessons there but sadly this hugely put us both off and we didn’t continue.”

Swindon Advertiser: The smashed lockers in the changing rooms are a particular concern for residents.The smashed lockers in the changing rooms are a particular concern for residents. (Image: Luke Edwards)

This mother is not the first customer who has been put off by the poor state of the leisure centre.

“Unfortunately it has been run down for years,” said Bassett local Liz Mckellar.

“I used to love swimming there regularly, but I stopped using that pool nearly 15 years ago because of the conditions. We go to Chippenham now.”

The Lime Kiln Leisure Centre was previously managed by Places Leisure but was taken on by Wiltshire Council in September 2021, as part of a transfer of 10 centres.

Speaking about the recent issues, Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We have recently audited Lime Kiln Leisure Centre to understand the remedial work required to address issues with some of the facilities.

“We appreciate residents’ concerns and are currently undertaking work to understand the costs involved and consider a provisional programme of work”.