Leisure centre which inspired Oasis name to launch its OWN comeback

A leisure centre which inspired Oasis' name is following in the band's footsteps with plans to make a comeback.

Noel and Liam Gallagher's reunion announcement last month gave a new lease of life to a proposal to transform the 'neglected' Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon.

In its less dilapidated years, the centre's name appeared on a tour poster hanging in the musical brothers' bedroom, leading to the theory that it was where they came up with the name for the now world famous group.

While the band have been on hiatus since 2009, its leisure centre namesake was closed down 11 years later due to 'challenging operating conditions' amid Covid-19 lockdowns.

But the building's leaseholders, Seven Capital, have drawn up plans to bring it back including a restoration of the facility's eye-catching domed roof - making it more energy-efficient whilst still protecting its Grade II-listed status.

The owners have announced the planning application for a rebuilt Oasis Centre is expected before the end of this year.

Like how the Oasis Live '25 tour had people queuing for hours in an online scramble for tickets - Seven Capital are hoping for a surge in interest on its long-awaited return.

A new website has now been set up to display plans and get feedback from locals.

A company spokesman said: 'The planning submission will be in line with the development agreement between Seven Capital and Swindon Borough Council and is expected later this year.'

The target for re-opening the new centre is 2026, the 50th anniversary of when it first opened in 1976.

Seven Capital said a £5million refurbishment in 2016 failed to stop leaks at the venue and proposed that the dome panels are replaced with a material developed in the 1970s for the American space programme.

It is hoped that this would fix the issue whilst keeping the dome true to its original look and allowing the centre to reopen.

As part of the project the adjacent sports and concert venue would be knocked down.

However, the Save Oasis Swindon Campaign has said it would like to see the centre reopened with a sports facility as well.

The centre was already a landmark amongst locals long before it inspired the legendary band Oasis - which formed in 1991.

It is said that Liam Gallagher saw the name on a poster for an Inspiral Carpets concert tour, which had a date at the leisure centre.

It has become an iconic location drawing crowds not just for the pool, but also for events and music.

However, the building closed in October 2020 after operator GLL claimed it was unviable. It has since become derelict - marred by overgrown bushes, litter and graffiti.

In May this year, an agreement between the local council and Seven Capital was signed, paving the way for the long-awaited return, which would allow the developer to build houses on land near the Oasis in return for providing the millions of pounds of renovations needed to bring the derelict centre back to life.

The company is 10 years into a 99-year lease on the site.

The spokesperson added: 'Once plans have been submitted the website will be populated with information for residents to view in their own time and provide feedback via an online form should they be unable or prefer not to attend in-person consultation events.

'Further information on planning submission and subsequent consultation dates and venue will be provided in due course.'