Historic Smethwick Leisure Centre Set for Demolition After Council Approval
Plans to demolish a deteriorating 125-year-old leisure centre in Smethwick to make way for new housing have been formally approved by Sandwell Council's cabinet. The decision, made at a meeting on March 11, 2026, targets the Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre, which has been vacant since October 2025 after closing casually in May of that year.
Council Cites Surplus Facilities and High Repair Costs
Sandwell Council, led by the Labour party, declared the leisure centre "surplus to requirements" due to the borough's abundance of leisure facilities. Councillor Syeda Khatun, cabinet member for business and skills, highlighted that the "jewel in the crown" Sandwell Aquatics Centre is located less than a mile away, providing high-quality alternative provision.
The council revealed that a 2018 survey indicated the Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre would need at least £1.5 million for a complete refurbishment, including substantial roof repairs. Since then, further deterioration has occurred, with significant roof leaks and water ingress worsening the building's condition.
"The building is now considered to be in extremely poor cosmetic condition and requires complete refurbishment, including a new roof, boilers, and re-wiring," stated a council report. "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."
Housing Development and Strategic Review
Demolition of the leisure centre is expected to cost approximately £711,000. The site will be redeveloped for housing, with early plans proposing between 30 and 45 new houses and flats, though the number could reach as many as 80 dwellings.
This move aligns with a wider strategic review of leisure facilities aimed at achieving savings. The council had initially targeted over £500,000 in savings through this review, including closing the Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre and giving up Hadley Stadium in Smethwick. While the £540,000 saving outlined in last year's budget was met through alternative sources, resolving the future of the Harry Mitchell site supports the council's broader objectives.
"Taking the site and its associated liabilities out of the leisure management portfolio will make Sandwell's leisure estate more sustainable," the council report emphasized.
Historical Context and Community Impact
The Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre, located next to Smethwick Cricket Club, was originally gifted to Smethwick Urban District Council by its namesake in 1899. Its closure follows a pattern of leisure facility consolidations in the area, with Thimblemill Baths and Langley Baths also closing as part of the opening of the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in 2024.
Councillor Ashley Lewis, who represents the Smethwick ward, previously criticized the management of local facilities, noting that Hadley Stadium had been left to crumble intentionally. "The site had been in disrepair for seven or eight years without any investment and had been managed into decline," he remarked, reflecting broader concerns about maintenance and investment in community assets.
The council's decision underscores a shift towards modernizing leisure provision while addressing housing needs, though it marks the end of a historic community landmark in Smethwick.
