Kensington and Chelsea Council has approved a £1.3 million refurbishment of the near-120-year-old Chelsea swimming pool, aiming to preserve its heritage while cutting energy and water use.

Opened in April 1907, the facility will have its pool plant and roof replaced, the swimming pools' surfaces refurbished, and the main pool reshaped to enable more flexible use and reduce resource demand.

The pool will close from Sunday 12 July to allow works to begin, with completion expected in November this year.

During the closure, Chelsea Sports Centre members can use GLL pools across the UK, including Kensington Leisure Centre, located around four miles away.

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Designs will retain the building's historic character and improve performance. Plans include adjusting the main pool to a more standardised 1 to 1.8 metre depth profile to better support swimming lessons for all.

Cllr Josh Rendall, lead member with responsibility for leisure facilities, said: "This historic pool has been in use for 119 years, making it an important part of the borough's history as well as a vital health and fitness facility for Chelsea.

"This investment protects a valued heritage asset, suiting it to the needs of residents in 2026, and boosting its energy efficiency so that it can be enjoyed for decades to come."

The project is being delivered by the Council in partnership with GLL and is funded through s106 and grant funding totalling £1.3 million. The improvements support the Council’s priorities around active, healthy communities, efficient public buildings and the careful stewardship of the borough’s historic environment.