THE pools at Freeman’s Quay in Durham City will reopen for swimmers next week.

On Monday, the main pool and the small pool at the Durham County Council leisure centre will reopen with a new programme, featuring new aqua classes and more time for general swim.

Since opening in 2008, the facility has seen more than five million customers walk through its doors.

The pools were closed earlier this year for essential repair work, which saw both pools fully retiled. The changing village and toilets were also refurbished, with new lockers and changing cubicles added to modernise the space.

The reception and studio areas have got new flooring and wall decoration, and a new LCD screen has been installed to display customer information.

The aqualearn programme for swimming lessons will resume from Monday, November 4, following the half term break.

Nigel Dodds, Durham County Council’s strategic manager for sport and leisure, said: “We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst the repair work was being carried out. After listening to feedback from customers, we have reworked our pool programme to introduce some new classes and to accommodate more time for general swim.”

For details visit durham.gov.uk/swimming or download the thrive active app.