EXCLUSIVE: There are 'no guarantees' Hitchin outdoor pool will remain open throughout the summer - due to a chlorine shortage caused by Brexit and other issues.

As Hitchin Nub News reported earlier this week, Brexit, supply chain issues and Covid-related disruptions have converged to create a perfect storm that could see Hitchin outdoor pool face summer closures due to chlorine shortages.

While the prospect of swimming outdoors and sunbathing at the pool on Fishponds Road this summer is a proposition eagerly-awaited by many in our town and surrounding areas, the site is facing an uncertain summer with the all-too real prospect of unexpected closures.

With our town's outdoor pool set to welcome visitors once again from Saturday (May 28), North Herts Council accepted that there are no guarantees that the site will be able to stay open all summer.

Councillor Steve Jarvis, North Herts Council's Executive Member for Leisure, told Hitchin Nub News: "Stevenage Leisure Limited, who operate the Hitchin and Letchworth Outdoor pools, are doing all they can to ensure the continued supply of chemicals to operate the pools, with contingency plans in place to share chemicals across our sites should there be a need.

"Delivery dates for chemicals have so far been honoured, however, given the national shortage there are no guarantees this will continue.

"If this national shortage means that we must close any of our pools, then this will be communicated immediately through our websites and social media channels, as usual."

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