Abandoned swimming pool taken over by squatters left frozen in time

09 May 2023 , 09:34

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The squatters claimed they fixed leaks, refilled the swimming pool and plumbed in the sauna before being kicked out (Image: Kyle Urbex)

An abandoned leisure centre was transformed by a community of squatters who had big plans for the building before they were kicked out - leaving the place frozen in time.

Chorlton Leisure Centre in Manchester closed in 2015 despite last ditched attempts by campaigners to run it as a not-for-profit centre.

Following its closure, the building was taken over a number of times by a community of squatters who said they had big plans to bring the building back into use.

Some of the squatters' ambitious plans to reopen the facility to the public included building a skate park inside; they claimed to have fixed leaks, refilled the swimming pool and plumbed in the sauna.

Chorlton Leisure Centre in Manchester closed in 2015 despite last ditched attempts by campaigners to run it as a not-for-profit centre (Kyle Urbex)

Some of the squatters' ambitious plans to reopen the facility to the public included building a skate park inside (Kyle Urbex)

However, in 2019, the community of squatters who had taken up residence in the derelict building were kicked out for a second time by bailiffs.

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Recently, plans have been discussed to demolish the building and turn the space into dozens of affordable homes for older people.

Recently, urban explorer Kyle Urbex took a look inside the now abandoned building and took photos showing how squatters had left it.

In 2019, the community of squatters who had taken up residence in the derelict building were kicked out for a second time (Kyle Urbex)

Plans have been discussed to demolish the building and turn the space into dozens of affordable homes for older people (Kyle Urbex)

Kyle told the M.E.N : "Making my way round I could see the bright lights of the gymnasium gleaming through the windows, which instantly sparked my interest.

"Once inside the gymnasium, I uncovered neat graffiti work such as the 'Buskers corner' and the 'Aliens < > Humans' artwork which I found quite funny."

Kyle's pictures show signs of the squatters' lifestyle in the building, with graffiti and artwork adorning the walls, invites to workshops, and even a performance area for buskers.

The urban explorer added: "It felt very eerie inside because in parts some of the electricity was still active, which made me wonder why.

"But this is the first time an explorer has managed to capture internal pictures and I'm glad I was the one to do it, that's for sure!"

Lee Grimsditch