Inside the rotting leisure centre that inspired Oasis’s name
New photos have revealed the dilapidated state of a leisure centre which rock band Oasis named themselves after.
The Oasis Leisure Centre swimming venue in Swindon, Wiltshire, was once a bustling family attraction, but is now covered in organic matter and grime.
Rockers Oasis were named after the attraction after Liam Gallagher saw the venue on an Inspiral Carpets tour poster.
The band, previously named The Rain, adopted the name shortly before Noel Gallagher joined in 1991.
The Leisure Centre closed five years ago, with discussions between the owner and the council continuing and local frustration building over a lack of visible progress on the site.
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Campaigners have argued it is quickly decaying as it remains unattended.
Group ‘Save Oasis Swindon’ shared the images taken by Jamierob2, and is demanding to know why little has been done on the site.
Along with the images, a spokesperson for the group posted: ‘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?’
Despite complaints about the lack of activity at the site, the council has said discussions between it and the owner of the site, Seven Capital, about what comes next for the site continue.
In December, a draft agreement between Swindon Borough Council and Seven Capital was posted, where all the documents relating to the application were published.
The document said the centre cannot be opened for operations until Seven Capital pays £18,000 for bus service improvement works.
It will also have to cough up £35,000 to improve the Western Flyer cycle route and provide the landscaped open space on the site, and promise to maintain it.
A month later, a document dated January 21, 2026, showed that official permission for the ‘partial demolition and construction of new building elements’ of the closed-down leisure centre had been granted.
Multiple plans were submitted by landlord Seven Capital for the Oasis Leisure Centre, and while the plans to demolish the sports hall were approved, Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee refused permission to build 700 flats at the site.
Steve Handley from Seven Capital said back in July that they had amended their plans after an extensive public consultation.
‘We can bring back to life the Oasis to benefit the community and Swindon,’ he said.
Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: ‘We remain committed to doing everything we can to get a refurbished Oasis pool and slides back open again for people to enjoy.
‘It is an absolute priority. The three planning decisions approved by the Planning Committee were formally issued a few weeks ago. We’ll continue to work closely with SevenCapital, and I am hopeful there will be some positive progress in the coming months.’
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