Newcastle’s pool asked its swimmers if they thought it would be worth showering at home in order to cut costs on rising energy prices.
Jesmond Pool and Gym functions as a charity and is managed by Jesmond Community Leisure.
Management of the pool stated that they are looking into all options to help save money in this cost-of-living crisis. The company’s energy costs will rise 75%.
The facility was also asked customers to fill out a survey to see if they’d prefer to use the bathroom at home over the pool, as it looks for ways to reduce its costs.
Phil Drape, Jesmond Pool and Gym’s operations manager (pictured above), said that they are looking into ‘all possible options’ for reducing energy costs. He also suggested asking customers to use their showers at home. According to Drape, customers shouldn’t have to bear the high costs of energy.
According to the social enterprise, “We have more than 1,000 swimmers using our showers every week. This uses considerable amounts of energy and water.
“Would it be worth your while to shower at home rather than in the pool?”
Phil Drape, Operations Manager at the charity, stated that they do not wish to increase costs for clients who use it for their well-being and fitness.
He explained that the survey had been sent to customers in preparation of budgeting next year for our end-of-energy contract.
Jesmond Pool, Newcastle, surveyed its customers to find out if they are willing to take a shower at home to save water.
“As it stands now, we pay 12p/kWh electricity.
“The government cap on electricity used by businesses over the next six-months will be reviewed after three month. It is currently 21p/kWh. That’s a 75% increase.
“As a charity that operates only on a one-site basis and receives no funding from outside sources, we aim to offer swimming and other leisure activities to our community.
We would never want to see our customers pay more for leisure activities that they use to improve their health and well-being.
“There are many ways to save energy. We’re looking into solar panels, decreasing showering times, and other options.
Currently, membership to the gym costs £22.99, £31 for swimming and £37 for gym and swim, while pay as you go options are £6 per gym session or £5 per swim.
Jesmond Pool is just one of the many businesses and households across the country that are struggling with increasing energy costs due to the war in Ukraine.
Premier Liz Truss, who announced earlier in the month new measures to combat the issue, included the energy price guaranteed for householders and an ‘equivalent” support for business.
From October 1, the average household energy bill will rise from £1,971 to a frozen £2,500 under the energy price guarantee, around £1,000 less than the new energy price cap due to kick in.
This is nonetheless a 27% increase over the prior price limit and 96% more than last year.
Businesses and non-domestic energy users, such as charities, were promised discounts on wholesale electricity between October 1 and March 31.
It is anticipated that the supported wholesale price will be 21p/kWh for electricity and 7.5p/kWh for gasoline, which are less than half of this winter’s wholesale prices.
It also includes the elimination of green levies.
However, companies that use a lot of energy like leisure centers and swimming pools will see an increase in their bills.
Ms Truss, however, insists that increasing costs are “a price worth paying” for resisting Vladimir Putin’s aggression.