Hundreds of concerned residents, gym users and school children have held a protest outside a leisure centre threatened with imminent closure.

Protestors gathered outside Meopham Leisure Centre near Gravesend to voice their opposition to plans to close the community facility.

It comes as the sports centre's lease draws to a close on Friday, July 29 and managers warn it might not be possible to extend.

The Swale Academies Trust (SAT), which operates the facility based at Meopham Secondary School, says it is engaged in "protracted discussions" but its priority is the education of children and not the subsidisation of third party organisations.

The announcement, which was made on Friday, has been met with anger and disapproval by villagers and members who gathered outside the centre in Wrotham Road in large numbers to protest last night.

Gym member Anna Roberts said: "We want to highlight all the activities that the centre holds for the children in the local area.

"We want to highlight the work it does with the Helen Allison school and the fact it caters for families, single parents, children, teenagers and everyone in between.

"It is located in the hub of Meopham, a lot of users walk to the centre, by issuing its closure it would be depriving the local community of a vital asset."

The 48-year-old says Covid and the decline in social interaction during this time had highlighted the need for such facilities.

She added: "It feels like you are walking into a family-run centre and to take this away would be detrimental."

Another user Paula Kerr added: "It is just a community hub. I reckon there isn't anybody who lives in the area who has not walked in that door at some point.

"A lot of friends have been made there. It is a great community sports hub and it would be a shame if it closed."

Plans to close the centre have also been blasted by mental health campaigners. Peter Scutts – who started the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund with his partner to provide funding for therapy for vulnerable young people – emphasised the need for sports facilities in terms of helping mental health.

He said: "I think they should be considering the impact in the mental health and wellbeing of residents in Meopham. I do not know if it has been considered.

"It is not just exercise, it is the socialising with other people. Centres like this in particular do provide an outlet for young people to mix and socialise."

The Istead Rise resident explained how closing the club will have an impact on not only young people's mental wellbeing but the wider community as well.

Meopham Parish Council has also expressed its "extreme concern" over the potential closure.

Clerk Shaun Fishenden said "The parish council is extremely saddened to hear of the threatened future of Meopham Leisure Centre. We continue to work with the trustees of the Meopham Sports and Leisure Association (MSLA) to offer our support in trying to secure its long-term future.

"We call upon the Swale Academies Trust to re-consider their actions that put the centre at risk, and instead recognise the benefits of having a fully-equipped and well-maintained leisure centre on their school site that is accessible to their pupils."

It has submitted an official request to Gravesham council for the centre to be recognised as an asset of community value.

This listing would enable a six-month moratorium period to be triggered if the Trust gave notification of its intent to sell the building on the open market or issue a new long-term lease.

It's hoped this would give local groups the opportunity to develop their own bid to purchase the building.

A message on the centre's website told customers: "We are writing at the earliest opportunity to regrettably inform you there is a strong possibility Meopham Leisure Centre may close.

"We understand this is a shock, and the news is very sad indeed. Please be reassured the MSLA are working hard to find a solution that will hopefully ensure your important, and valued community facility, stays open after 29th July.

"We would like to thank all the staff for their perseverance through this challenging time, and would like to assure everyone that we are rallying hard to continue to deliver the best service to you."

The lease with SAT will cease at the end of the month and an extension has not yet been secured with negotiations ongoing.

It's understood the Trust is being advised by the government to charge the full commercial rate rather than the current peppercorn rate.

A trust spokesman said: "Swale Academies Trust recognises the value placed by residents of Meopham in the village sports centre. SAT has engaged in protracted discussions with MSLA over the renewal of their lease agreement.

"However, whilst we are keen to see this renewal occur we are not in a position to meet MSLA’s requests for a subsidy to help them ensure a financially sustainable business model.

"Funding is given by the DfE to SAT for the purposes of educating children, not to sustain third party organisations.

"In order that the village sports centre may remain open we would be happy to support MSLA in approaching other funding sources who may be able to assist in ensuring that their funding model is sustainable."

A petition has since been launched to stop the proposed closure and at the time of writing had more than 1,000 signatures.

The MSLA was formed in 1985 and is responsible for the management and development of leisure facilities and activities at the centre which includes a gym, sports hall and courts, workout classes and a crèche.