Swindon Borough Council says it remains committed to reopening the Oasis.

The pledge comes after it was claimed the landlord of the derelict leisure centre SevenCapital has said it is yet to find a viable way to tear down the shutters at North Star. 

The Save Oasis Swindon campaign group says it received an email from the property management company telling them that despite spending "hundreds of thousands of pounds" SevenCapital had yet to find a plan that could accommodate the listing of the iconic 1970s dome.  

A statement from the steering group released in response to SevenCapital's alleged admission revealed that they were "shocked and disappointed" by this blow, but weren't giving up in their fight. 

Read: Campaigners dealt blow to hopes of Oasis ever reopening

Read: Oasis Leisure Centre redevelopment plans expected 'imminently'

This claims will also have come as a shock to the council as it was only in March this year that its leader, David Renard, said that Oasis redevelopment plans from SevenCapital would be forthcoming "imminently".

Swindon Advertiser:

He made this claim during a scrutiny meeting on March 21 in response to an accusation from Jim Grant, the then leader of the Labour Group, that the council had "a lack of a plan" for the site.  

But in light of the recent update from SevenCapital, Coun Renard has reiterated previous statements that the council will continue to work with the leaseholders to find a solution.

“We recognise the challenges SevenCapital face in reopening the Oasis," he said. 

“Clearly the listing of the building has made that process much more difficult as SevenCapital has to ensure certain parts are maintained and protected - that also comes at huge additional cost.

"It will also take time to find a solution and the building needs to be made sustainable to ensure an operator can be secured for the Oasis’s long-term future.

“I would like to assure everyone we are fully committed to working with SevenCapital so the difficulties in reopening the building can be overcome.”

Newly-elected Swindon Labour group leader Jim Robbins also reacted to Save Oasis Swindon's statement.

He said: “Swindon Labour are very disappointed to hear this news.

"We will be contacting the leader of the council to request an urgent meeting of the Oasis Cabinet Members Advisory Group (CMAG) so that we can fully understand SevenCapital’s decision and work out the best way forward to get the Oasis reopened.”

The Adver has approached SevenCapital but it is yet to comment.