POOL temperatures have been reduced at several leisure centres across Dorset in a bid to tackle soaring energy bills.

Freedom Leisure have introduced new measures to reduce energy usage at their centres, including at those in Ringwood, New Milton, and Lymington.

As well as pool temperatures being reduced by 1 or 2 degrees, air conditioning units and lights are being switched off when not in use, and customers are being encouraged to spend less time in the showers.

Saunas and steam rooms have also been closed for the winter.

Freedom Leisure, who run the centres on behalf of New Forest District Council, say their annual energy bill has jumped from £8m to £20m, despite the recent government announcement outlining the support available for businesses of a temporary cap.

In the New Forest centres alone, their increased energy costs have amounted to over £500,000 this financial year.

Freedom Leisure said these were figures they “cannot just absorb”, forcing them to make some “difficult decisions”.

Their spokesperson said: “It’s been well publicised in the media that households and businesses across the country are facing increased energy bills due to the wholesale price of electricity and gas increasing at an alarming rate.

“Operators of leisure facilities throughout the UK are being particularly affected by the energy crisis and we are sure this situation will have a negative impact nationally on the provision of leisure services in the very near future.

“As a not-for-profit charitable leisure trust, we make very low surpluses and these increases present us with a significant challenge where difficult decisions need to be made about expenditure just as those conversations are happening in homes across the UK.

“We understand the financial pressures local authorities are under so we have presented New Forest District Council with various options to reduce our energy use for their consideration and we are also introducing a range of housekeeping measures to customers and our staff teams to make them more aware of energy use.”

Freedom Leisure added that without further government support, there is a “real risk” posed to leisure trusts like theirs.