Historic Smethwick Leisure Centre Set for Demolition to Pave Way for New Housing
Sandwell Council has announced plans to demolish the 125-year-old Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre in Smethwick, with the site earmarked for a new housing development. The local authority declared the facility "surplus to requirements" and revealed that demolition alone is expected to cost approximately £711,000.
From Leisure to Housing: The Transformation Plan
Initial proposals suggest the site could accommodate between 30 and 45 new houses and flats, with potential for up to 80 dwellings. The Labour-run council's cabinet is scheduled to make a final decision on the matter during their upcoming meeting.
The council described the leisure centre as the "oldest and poorest" facility in the borough, noting that a 2018 survey estimated refurbishment costs at £1.5 million. This substantial investment would be needed to bring the building up to modern standards, including complete re-wiring, new boilers, and significant roof repairs.
A Building in Decline
According to council reports, the leisure centre has deteriorated significantly since the 2018 survey, with "substantial" roof leaks and water ingress causing urgent repair needs. The building now requires complete refurbishment, including a new roof, updated boilers, and complete electrical re-wiring.
"Given the escalating costs of repair, the limited scale of the facility, and the availability of high-quality alternative provision in the surrounding area, retention is no longer considered financially viable," stated the council report.
Historical Context and Current Status
The Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre originally closed casually in May of last year and was completely empty by October, remaining vacant since. Parts of the facility relocated to the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre in 2024, which opened to the public in 2023 following the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
The site was originally gifted to Smethwick Urban District Council by its namesake in 1899. While the council initially believed the gifting restricted the site's use, a commissioned report from 2024 confirmed that these restrictions were released by a deed in 1967.
Financial Considerations and Strategic Review
Sandwell Council revealed at the start of 2025 that they were considering giving up both Hadley Stadium and the Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre as part of plans to save more than £500,000 through a review of leisure facilities. Although the £540,000 saving outlined in last year's budget has been met through "alternative sources," resolving the future of the site supports the council's wider strategic review.
"Taking the site and its associated liabilities out of the leisure management portfolio will make Sandwell's leisure estate more sustainable," the council report explained.
Community Impact and Relocation Efforts
3Ks Judo Club currently occupies a self-contained building on the edge of the site under a 50-year lease signed in 1996. The club has expressed willingness to relocate to another location in Smethwick and has considered the former council offices in Ford Street as a potential new venue.
However, the club's committee noted that the Ford Street building would be unsuitable due to ceiling height limitations and improvement costs. They are currently working with Kore Sandwell (the recently rebranded Sandwell Leisure Trust) and Sandwell Council on a potential move if modifications can be made to the false ceiling.
Sandwell Council pays £4 million annually to Sandwell Leisure Trust to operate the borough's facilities, though the local authority remains responsible for repairs and maintenance under their agreement. This contract with Kore Sandwell is set to conclude in 2027 following a cabinet agreement in 2023.
