With Northwich Town Council to consider introducing charges to use a popular paddling pool next week, you have had your say.

Church Walk Paddling Pool has been a much-loved town centre attraction for decades and has always been free to use.

However, after a rise in a running costs due to refurbishment and the employment of extra staff to manage a booking system, the town council are considering a charge.

They will discuss at least three options, which are:

  • Charge £1 per person to all visitors to the pool, this will be non-refundable, and payment will be taken at the time of booking
  • Only charge visitors who do not live in the Northwich parish, this will be complicated and difficult manage
  • Due to an overall increase in the cost of living to residents, defer any decision this year and look again next year when they have full costs of one year's opening using the booking system

After sharing the story on our Facebook page, many of you commented with your thoughts about the proposals.

Elaine Hacking said she was in favour of the £1 charge, saying it was 'a lovely pool'.

"It does not make it an expensive trip out," she said. 

"It helps with the cost of the upkeep and people who book might actually turn up.

"We didn’t get chance to visit last year because people booked sessions and didn’t even turn up for them!

"Many times we drove past and there was hardly anyone in the pool yet no places were available to book."

Gaynor Sinar said: "Northwich families should not have to pay more, CWAC rates have already gone up in the last seven years.

"People out of the Northwich Town Council area should pay.

"People who do live in the area should have to register and pay a one off admin charge for a one or three-year permit, which is then renewed."

Lindsey Edensor said: "I’m happy to pay £1 but it’s with the booking system I’m not to sure about.

"People block book and no-one else can get in and they don’t even turn up and my daughter was one of them who missed out because of selfish people block booking."

Jennie Hollingsworth said she wouldn't personally mind paying the charge as she can afford but suggested the council make exceptions for families who might be struggling.

"It would be a shame if those children then have to miss out on what was once a nice fun free trip out because its now chargeable and the parents cant afford it.

"Maybe the council could arrange to give struggling families and their children a free pass via a means tested score?"

However, plenty of you think the pool should remain free including Lynn Ollier, who said: "Why change something when it has always been free?"

Carol Williamson, meanwhile, is concerned the £1 charge might increase further in the future, adding: "It should stay free like it’s always been."