Leeds Council axes childcare facilities at six leisure centres

The crches at East Leeds, Kippax, Rothwell, Aireborough, Pudsey and Scott Hall leisure centres will close next month, with the council blaming "falling demand, rising costs and budget pressures which have made the service unsustainable".

Last year 7,264 children used the crches, which the council says is fewer than three per hour across all six sites. Cutting the service will save 60,000 per year.

Chief recreation officer Richard Mond said: "We have reluctantly had little choice but to make this difficult decision to end creche provision in our leisure centres due to the decline in numbers of children using the service and high cost which has made it unsustainable.

"Everyone involved is being informed and we will make every effort to work with customers to see if they can attend their current or alternative fitness sessions."

The six centres were the last council-run lsisure centres in Leeds to offer drop-in crche facilities for anyone attending a leisure centre fitness class. The service was withdrawn from other centres because of falling numbers over the last five years.