COUNCIL chiefs have backed out of plans to acquire a Bournemouth leisure centre which has been closed for months.

Speculation that BCP Council was considering a move to buy Queen's Park Leisure Centre came to light when it appeared on a timetable of items to be discussed at local authority meetings.

Both the overview and scrutiny board and cabinet had an item listed on their respective forward plans for meetings next month.

On the cabinet version of the document was listed as a key decision, with the forward plan stating: "To consider the proposal to acquire Queens Park Leisure Centre in Bournemouth."

It was due to be discussed at overview and scrutiny on January 5 and cabinet seven days later.

However, the local authority has announced it will not be pursuing the proposal.

A BCP Council spokesman said: "BCP Council has decided not to acquire Queen’s Park Leisure Centre which is managed, not owned, by BH Live.

"A request has been made to remove this item from the cabinet forward plan."

Queen's Park Leisure Centre has been closed for many months.

When the Daily Echo recently visited the site the car park was empty and the building was locked up.

There was no sign of any staff on site and a sign visible in the reception area through the glass front door referenced the leisure centre would be closed for a month, but this appeared to be related to the one-month lockdown in November 2020.

This summer Queen's Park Leisure Centre was said to be closed until further notice, with gym goers encouraged to visit other BH Live facilities at Stokewood, Littledown, Sir David English, Corfe Mullen and Pelhams.

According to information held by HM Land Registry, the site in Queen's Park South Drive is owned by Barnaby International Investments Limited (incorporated in British Virgin Islands) and of 21 Dartmouth Street, London.

The Daily Echo has approached BH Live for comment. BCP Council was asked for the reason why it had decided against acquiring the site, but at the time of going to print had not provided a response.