Your Letters: November 26

KEEP CRYSTAL CENTRE OPEN

I am writing to inform those who aren't aware of the plan by Dudley Council to privatise the borough's leisure centres in Dudley, Stourbridge and Halesowen and the opposition to it from myself and many others in the area.

I live in Stourbridge where in particular these plans not only to take public services away for profit while putting jobs at risk and possibly raising prices for members could also mean the closure of the Crystal Leisure Centre which is the lifeblood of Stourbridge Town Centre. When you consider also the car park parking charges and the threat over Stourbridge and Halesowen town halls as well, it would kill Stourbridge. This is not talking our town centres down, it's us trying to save our town centres from these misjudged plans to sell off our public services for council profit, while putting loyal, long time employees out of a job!

I and many others in the campaign I am proudly part of are opposed to these plans as it would be detrimental to Dudley, Halesowen and Stourbridge. Keep DB Leisure a public service, going to Dudley or Halesowen is not feasible to local people in Stourbridge! Many charitable organisations and clubs for disadvantaged kids use the Crystal, what would happen to them?

The Crystal Leisure Centre has been neglected for years, the roof which needs work done on it, £554,000 which was approved in February 2022 for a new roof deferred in the spring till 2027/2028.