THE reopening of a Southampton leisure centre is set to be finalised next month after campaigners battled for months to keep it open. 

Plans to restart services at St Mary's leisure centre will be finalised by Southampton City Council in July, according to the new leader of the council. 

Cllr Satvir Kaur revealed the news to the Echo after campaigners said they were "disappointed" that the proposals were not being discussed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.  

One campaigner, Nick Chaffey, said: "Hundreds of users were left with nowhere to go when it closed and are asking when the centre will re-open.

"Has Southampton Council lost the key? We understood that the council had made a commitment to re-open and would expect it to be a high priority given its previous support to our campaign."

Daily Echo: Cllr Satvir Kaur outside St Mary's Leisure Centre. Cllr Satvir Kaur outside St Mary's Leisure Centre.

It comes after the reopening was announced in a tweet shortly after Labour regained control of the council. 

Cllr Kaur told the Echo: "Since taking back control of the council, Labour have been working hard to reverse the Conservative decision to close St Mary's and ensure it is reopened as quickly as possible.

"With former staff having now moved on, this has not been a straightforward process, however we are hopeful to make finalise the centre’s reopening next month.

"After which we intend to work with the local community and users to develop and secure a long-term viable future for the centre as a valued community space.”

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The site was closed in December last year when an agreement for Solent University to run the facility came to an end. 

A consultation was launched on the closure but despite 87 per cent of respondents saying the closure would have a negative impact, St Marys was not reopened. 

Former council finance boss and Conservative councillor, John Hannides has since stated that the reopening could cost the Southampton taxpayer up to £5,000 a week to run. 

He also raised concerns over repairs adding that around £400,000 of investment would be needed to make the facility safe. 

An exact date has not yet been announced for the reopening. 

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