CAMPAIGNERS have declared victory after being told St Mary's Leisure Centre will be repaired and reopen.

The site closed at the end of last year after the previous Conservative city council administration said a drop in users and decline in the state of the building made it unviable.

But now Labour group leader Satvir Kaur, who is set to become the leader of the council in just a few days, has said her new administration will make a start on repairs and develop plans to reopen.

Labour won a majority in the election last week and seized control of the city council.

Nick Chaffey, a campaigner who fought to save the sports complex, said he hopes the decision will inspire others in the city to "fight to defend public services".

READ MORE: Residents 'upset their voices have been ignored' after leisure centre decision

He said: "News that the newly-elected Labour council intend to re-open St Mary’s Leisure Centre is a victory for all those who have campaigned long and hard to protect this popular, well-used council leisure facility."

He said questions remain over how the site will be operated.

He added: "Our campaign from day one made clear that we want a council-funded, council-run community leisure centre as the best way to ensure its future.

READ MORE: Hope to save Southampton leisure centre after plans called into question

"We have requested a meeting with the new Labour council to put our views forward and call for no delays in the immediate re-opening of the centre.

"Our thanks go to all those who supported our campaign in the community, local trade unions and especially Southampton Socialist Party who launched this campaign and once again succeeded in preventing the closure of the centre.”

The controversial plans to close the centre were made by the Tory-led council, who said the closure would save £3,000 a week in running costs.

READ MORE: Protestors say council plans to sell off city leisure centre would be 'slap in the face'

Following a public consultation earlier this year, 87 per cent of respondents said closing the centre would have a negative impact.

Despite this, the Conservative council still chose to close the site earlier this year.

The decision sparked fury among campaigners who hosted protests and started a petition in a bid to save the complex.

Cllr Kaur told the Echo: "Labour will officially take control of the council on May 18, after which we will look to make a start on the repairs we promised while developing plans to reopen St Mary's soon after."

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News