Whitmore Lakes, a popular wild swimming destination in Staffordshire, has introduced security measures and an online booking system after an influx of rule-breaking visitors during the recent bank holiday weekend and half-term heatwave.
Unprecedented Visitor Numbers
The venue, located on Three Mile Lane, experienced an 'unusually high number of visitors' during the hot spell. While most guests enjoyed the site responsibly, a small minority disregarded the rules, prompting management to take action.
New Measures Implemented
In response, Whitmore Lakes has launched an online reservation system for peak times. The site has also republished its guidelines, improved signage, and deployed security personnel during busy periods. Additionally, one lake will be reserved exclusively for members, and a 'quieter lake' will be available for those seeking a more peaceful experience.
Statement from Management
In a social media statement, Whitmore Lakes said: 'We are all aware that this bank holiday weekend and half-term week brought unprecedented hot weather. Unfortunately it also brought an unusually high number of visitors to Whitmore Lakes for this time of year along with a small number of people who felt it was acceptable to disrespect our environment, our rules, and our loyal customers.'
'We have moved to online booking for peak periods, reissued our site rules, increased signage, and employed security during peak times. This is not a step we have taken lightly. The last thing we want is for our regular customers to feel that the site has become overbearing. However to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone visiting Whitmore Lakes we felt we had no choice during particularly busy periods. We will also have higher staffing levels throughout the summer which will help us manage the site more effectively.'
Investment in the Future
The management emphasized that income from busy periods will be reinvested into staffing and site improvements, rather than increasing prices for loyal year-round customers. They thanked their team for their professionalism during the challenging period and appreciated the support from understanding visitors.
