Leeds Dock swimmers stage fresh protest calling for return of open-water swimming
‘The shops, bars and restaurants of Leeds Dock are losing an active community of swimmers and paddleboarders’
Campaigners gathered at Leeds Dock on Tuesday evening to stage a protest swim calling for the reinstatement of open-water swimming at the site.
The protest was organised by the Leeds Dock Swimming Community, Bramley Mermaids, Climate Action Leeds and Imagine Leeds.
The groups are calling for the return of a safe swimming space in Leeds and the creation of more accessible blue-space swimming areas across the city.
Campaigners claimed that the interim owners of the Leeds Dock Estate leasehold, Interpath, made a last-minute decision not to renew the swimming licence at the start of August.
They also said that, in September, Leeds Dock SUP School was informed it could no longer offer paddleboarding at the site.
“These decisions has removed access to the only supervised open water swimming space in Leeds, where water quality was regularly monitored and lifeguards were present and the only city centre Paddleboard space with insured paddle board team members,” the group stated.
“Now thousands of people have lost access to the water. The shops, bars and restaurants of Leeds Dock are losing an active community of swimmers and paddleboarders.”
“The reasons for the decision remain unclear,” they added.
Tuesday's protest follows a demonstration at the Dock last month, when around 40 campaigners entered the water, including Green Party councillor Ed Carlisle, who represents the Hunslet and Riverside ward at Leeds City Council.
Leaseco 23 Limited, which owns leasehold interests at Leeds Dock, entered administration in December 2025, with Interpath appointed as joint administrators of the company, formerly known as Leeds Dock Limited.
Interpath told the Yorkshire Evening Post following the August protest that an agreement between the National Open Water Coaching Association (NOWCA), Love Open Water and the owners of Leeds Dock, which permitted open-water swimming at Leeds Dock, expired on September 30, 2024.
“Throughout the administration process, ensuring the safe management of the site has remained of critical importance,” a spokesperson for Interpath added.
“It is therefore with regret that the ongoing facilitation of open-water swimming at the Dock is no longer considered viable under the current circumstances.
“While we recognise that this will be disappointing for those who have enjoyed swimming at the Docks, health and safety considerations must come first.”
The spokesperson added: “The joint administrators remain focused on securing a sale of the site for the benefit of the Company's creditors. This follows the successful sale of the much-loved Water Taxis, which are now fully operational again under new ownership.
“Should a sale be completed, any future owner may choose to consider proposals regarding the future use of the water space at Leeds Dock.”
Interpath has been approached for further comment following Tuesday's protest.