Anger as four creches closed

Published on Monday 30 June 2008 14:04

EDINBURGH North and Leith MSP Malcolm Chisholm has hit out at creche closures at leisure centres in the Capital.

Creches at Edinburgh Leisure's Kirkliston leisure centre, the Leith Victoria swim centre, Craiglockhart Tennis and Sports Centre and the Royal Commonwealth Pool were all due to close on Friday, despite protests.

Mr Chisholm said: "I wrote to Edinburgh Leisure demanding that they keep the creches open at the very least until discussions had taken place with NHS Lothian.

"I was appalled by the reply I received which, among other things, said that 'it is not our intention to suspend the planned closure of four of the creche facilities, on the assumption that future discussions with NHS Lothian may result in the provision of significant financial support to retain these creche facilities'.

"There has been a magnificent campaign throughout the city, and in Leith in particular, to keep the creches open, and I am sure it will go on."

However, Keith Jackson, chief executive of Edinburgh Leisure, defended the move.

He said: "We are retaining four creches across the city, to which all customers are welcome – giving them the option of using these centres or making their own childcare arrangements."

"We are developing our under-fives programme to better suit the needs of customers as research indicates that the trend is towards family participation."