Casual users of the pools in Braintree and Witham will pay around ten per cent extra to swim.

Braintree Council has confirmed a new pricing structure for its Fusion Leisure managed centres will come into place on March 1.

Along with increases of around three per cent or less on “pay and play” activities like renting a badminton court, the prices of “casual” swimming at the centres in Braintree, Witham and Halstead are set to rise by more significant amounts.

Peter Tattersley, councillor responsible for health and communities, said: “The small increase of three per cent for pay and play activities and an average of 40p for casual swim puts the prices across all of our leisure centres in line and reflects the rising costs to operate the pools.

“We recognise it is not ideal however this is the first increase since 2015 and our prices still represent value for money."

At both Braintree Swimming and Fitness, in Charter Way, and Witham Leisure Centre, in Spinks Lane, last year customers would have paid £12 for a family swim, however from April the price is £13.20 – an increase of ten per cent exactly.

At Witham Leisure Centre, an adult who turns up on the day to use the pool would have had to pay £4.10, but will now be charged £4.60 – an increase of 12.2 per cent.

At Braintree Swimming and Fitness this price will go up from £4.45 to £4.60, an increase of 3.37 per cent.

Mr Tattersley said: “Over the last four years we have invested over £8.2 million in our leisure centres to improve the experience for users including the Braintree Pool refurbishment, new Witham Leisure Centre and pool pods at Halstead and Braintree.”

All of the district’s Fusion managed swimming pools will now charge the same amount for casual swimmers, with prices being different only per age group, not by centre.

Some of the prices for other activities have been brought in line across the centres as well.

The average price rise across all activities is 3.25 per cent.

A reward card scheme is offered at the leisure centres. 

People receive points for using the facilities at the centres.

New starters to the scheme receive 200 points for registering.

To find out more, speak to the reception teams at any of the three centres.