Popular Isle of Wight paddling pool forced to close

East Cowes Town Council confirmed the Esplanade paddling pool had to shut after broken glass entered the water on Sunday, June 21.

The closure comes less than 48 hours after the facility reopened, following weeks of anticipation from residents eager to see the pool back in use for the summer.

In a social media update today (Monday, June 22), the town council said: "Following an incident yesterday where broken glass has entered the pool, we have had to close it immediately for safety reasons."

A spokesperson added: "Glass in a pool environment poses a serious risk of injury, so the pool must now be fully drained, thoroughly cleaned, refilled, and treated."

The town council said it is aiming to reopen the paddling pool by Thursday.

The issue first came to light on Sunday, when the authority reported that a glass item had been brought into the pool area and was subsequently broken.

At the time, the town council warned that if glass had entered the water, the pool would need to be drained and cleaned, potentially putting it out of use for two to four days and "incurring avoidable costs — all due to one inconsiderate action."

Residents were reminded that glass, food and drink are not permitted within the pool area and were urged to dispose of rubbish responsibly.

The paddling pool had only reopened on Saturday, June 20, after being filled and treated with the necessary chemicals.

The town council is now asking visitors to follow the site rules and report any breaches to help keep the paddling pool safe and enjoyable for families.

East Cowes Town Council reinforced the rules, "for everyone’s safety and enjoyment," which are:

• No glass, food, or drink permitted in the pool area.
• No nappies or litter should be left on site.
• Dispose of all rubbish responsibly in the bins provided.