Row over swimming pool cash refunds

A row over refunds has broken out between parents and the boss of the company which used to run a Shropshire swimming pool, it emerged today.

Parents who paid in advance for children's swimming lessons at Wem Swimming Pool today claimed they have been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket since the pool temporarily closed on May 9.

Bosses today offered to transfer any outstanding lessons to other pools they operate in the county.

The building is owned by Wem Town Council and had been operated by Glynis Sheppard, of Wem Swimming Centre Ltd, since 2005.

But when Miss Sheppard announced she was putting the operating company up for sale for £65,000 earlier this year, Wem Town Council terminated her lease before she was able to sell it.

Now the pool has closed two months ahead of schedule and the council is poised to appoint a new operator.

Michaela Massey said she was owed about £120 for lessons for her two children Jade, seven, and Chloe, nine.

She said: "There's lots of us who paid in advance for lessons at the pool and we've been told we won't get them now it's shut.

"We have been offered to transfer the lessons to other pools in Shropshire but it's really not convenient to travel to Oswestry or Shrewsbury."

Miss Sheppard, of Shrewsbury, also runs a swimming lessons company called Swim With Style Ltd and has offered to let people have their remaining lessons at pools in Weston Rhyn, Shrewsbury, Penley or Oswestry.

Miss Sheppard said: "I'm trying to offer customers something because I feel morally obligated."

Anyone affected can contact Miss Sheppard via www.swimwithstyle.com