February deadline as bidding opens over Shrewsbury's Quarry Pool

In line with council policy, the authority is now inviting bids in a tender process for organisations wishing to run the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre.

The council's cabinet has already supported a move to close the pool and build a new one at Shrewsbury Sports Village in Sundorne. However, due to a prominent campaign and public criticism of the move, the cabinet voted to give groups the chance to come up with their own business plans to keep the pool in the town centre.

Initially strategic outline business cases must be submitted by February with the full business case then required to be completed by October.

A final decision on the future of the pool is not expected until early 2018.

Currently Shrewsbury Town Council, the town's Business Improvement District (BID), and The Quarry Forum are working on producing a joint business case for the pool.

Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said they are confident of coming up with a successful plan.

He said: "We are joined with the BID and the Quarry Forum and we are considering the best way of approaching the matter, given the overwhelming commitment to maintaining the baths in the town centre.

"We are looking at options to obtain some expert advice to help us in pursueing those objectives. I am confident we will have that prepared by then and that it will be a very positive report given the value of the baths to the town centre and to residents and visitors."

The council's tender document says that for bids to meet the authority's criteria they must cost less in terms of revenue than the plan to rebuild at Shrewsbury Sports Village.

The tender document report states: "For business cases to be considered they should demonstrate that the forecast revenue deficit to Shropshire Council generated by the facility over 25 years will be no more than £7.967 million. This figure equates to the total forecast revenue cost to the council over 25 years of the council's preferred location option – a new build at the Shrewsbury Sports Village."

In the process of judging submitted business cases 40 per cent of marks are based on the financial costs and sustainability of options, 30 per cent on whether it meets the council's "vision and strategy for swimming provision", 20 per cent on whether it provides "additional social, environmental and economic benefits and impact", and 10 per cent on whether it is deliverable.

A council organised public consultation found 68 per cent of people wanted the pool to remain in the town centre.