The leisure centre that inspired the band name Oasis has been left abandoned for five years – and now sad photos reveal its crumbling state.
The Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, Wiltshire, has been left to rot, covered in grime and weeds.
New pictures reveal the dilapidated state of the family attraction, which was listed on an Inspiral Carpets tour poster Liam Gallagher saw in his bedroom.
Oasis adopted the name shortly before Noel Gallagher joined in 1991, having previously been called The Rain.
The centre has been deserted since October 2020 after its owner SevenCapital deemed it ‘not viable’ because of the pandemic.
Discussions regarding the site’s future between its SevenCapital and the local council continue, resulting in local frustration.
Campaigners argue the once-bustling site is rapidly decaying while it sits idle.
A group named Group Save Oasis Swindon have now circulated images of the neglected venue.
Oasis Leisure Centre, which inspired the band name Oasis, has been left abandoned for five years
The site in Swindon, Wiltshire, has been left to rot, allowing grime and weeds to grow
The photos reveal murky, mouldy waters and overgrown weeds.
Questioning why nothing has been done to save the site from decay, the group wrote: ‘Why are SevenCapital not keeping a grade II listed building in a good state of repair?
‘And why are Swindon Borough Council doing nothing nearly six years on?’
The council said discussions between it and SevenCapital about the future of the site are continuing.
In December, a draft agreement between Swindon Borough Council and SevenCapital was shared online.
The document read the centre cannot reopen until SevenCapital pays £18,000 towards bus service improvement works.
The firm must also cough up £35,000 to improve the Western Flyer cycle route and provide and maintain the landscaped open space on the site, the documents reveal.
A month after the first documents were posted, a separate document showed that official permission for the ‘partial demolition and construction of new building elements’ of the closed leisure centre had been granted.
The site was listed on an Inspiral Carpets tour poster Liam Gallagher saw in his bedroom, prompting a name change from The Rain
The centre has been deserted since October 2020 after its owner Seve Capital deemed it ‘not viable’ because of the pandemic
Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher pictured on stage performing in Oasis at Wembley Stadium in London during their reunion tour last year
Shouts of ‘shame’ rang out from members of the public as councillors approved plans to rebuild a leisure centre on the site without its sprots hall.
Multiple plans were submitted by SevenCapital for the Oasis Leisure Centre.
While the plans to demolish the sports hall were approved, Swindon Borough’s Council’s planning committee refused permission to build 700 flats on the site.
Steve Handley from SevenCapital previously said that they had amended their plans after an extensive public consultation.
He said: ‘We can bring to life the Oasis to benefit the community and Swindon.’
The leader of Swindon Borough Council, councillor Jim Robbins, said the refurbishment of the site remains an ‘absolute priority’.