Old Hyde pub to become £600k swimming centre

An entrepreneurial couple have revealed plans to turn a pub in Hyde, Greater Manchester, into a swimming centre and education hub.

The Apethorn on Knott Lane, which was purchased by Gary and Suzanne Horton in March last year, is set to become Aqua Nurture as part of a £600k project to breath new life into the building.

With work on the site due for completion in April, Aqua Nurture will include multi-function activity space, a hydro pool and a coffee shop.

Gary and Suzanne, who own and run the Greater Manchester franchise of Puddle Ducks, the national baby and child swimming lesson business, have sold their family home to get the project off the ground.

Suzanne said: “We work with many parents and have two young children ourselves, so we understand the importance of having family-friendly facilities.

“As well as swimming, which we see as an important life skill as well as being loads of fun, we were keen to offer a range of activities and services which complement our Puddle Ducks business under one roof and that’s where the idea for a ‘family hub’ came about.”

She continued: “We will be offering a wide range of health and wellbeing activities such as baby massage and baby sensory as well as pre and post pregnancy classes.

“There is also going to be a coffee shop which we hope will be used by the community at large too.”

Hyde-based construction firm Jamieson Contracting is delivering the site conversion, while High Legh business Cheshire Swimming Pools and Spas is building the pool.

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