MEMBERS of a hotel leisure centre in Bewdley have raised concerns over the facility's future after receiving an email to say it will not be opening on April 12.

An email was sent to members of the Feel Good Health Club, based at the Mercure Hotel, this week, stating that "the reopening of the health club is not a viable option at this time" as the site is in the process of being sold.

It is currently unclear whether the health club - which gives members access to the hotel's pool and spa - will reopen once the sale is completed, but the news has prompted concerns from members, many of whom who use the facility as their main source of exercise.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The hotel has its own gym, swimming pool and spa. Photo from Rightmove/Colliers International The hotel has its own gym, swimming pool and spa. Photo from Rightmove/Colliers International

The letter reads: "We can confirm that the leisure club at the Mercure Bewdley The Heath Hotel will not be reopening on April 12.

"The hotel is currently in the process of being sold and therefore the reopening of the health club is not a viable option at this time."

The email goes on to advise members who have prepaid their annual membership to contact the health club with proof of payment, while direct debit members have been told "your membership will be terminated" once the sale is finalised.

The letter ends by saying: "Please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience this development causes you. We would like to thank you for your loyalty over the years and for your understanding at this time."

Kidderminster Shuttle: The 44-bedroom hotel was one of three Mercure hotels to go up for sale last year. Photo from Rightmove/Colliers International The 44-bedroom hotel was one of three Mercure hotels to go up for sale last year. Photo from Rightmove/Colliers International

In a separate letter seen by The Shuttle, the hotel writes: "We are sad to be closing."

We previously reported that the hotel had gone up for sale last year, welcoming offers in the region of £2.8 million.

Bewdley resident Jenny Knowles, who has been a member of the leisure centre for over 30 years, said the closure of the leisure club would be "disappointing to a lot of people".

She said: "I've been a member of the leisure centre since it opened in 1989. It was then the Ramada Hotel. I had an email yesterday saying that the hotel was being sold and the leisure centre would also close.

"Like me, there are hundreds of other members who have enjoyed the proximity of the swimming pool to Bewdley who will be very disappointed with this news.

"My neighbour contacted me after she saw the email and said she knows so many people who will be affected by this.

"It's very disappointing. After the lockdown, I was so looking forward to going back and using the pool. It's my best form of exercise.

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"There's no other facility like this in Bewdley and I won't be travelling to Kidderminster.

"I'm hoping another hotel chain takes it on and it isn't turned into something else. That would be so disappointing to a lot of people in the local area. It would be a very sad loss."

A spokesman for the Mercure Bewdley The Heath Hotel, added: "We will keep members updated as the sale progresses.”