Below are the results of our recent survey of views on charges and charging policy. Top line findings are:
- An overwhelming majority (75%) think the current charges are fair, but nearly 70% say that increased charges would affect their ability to swim.
- At present 24% of members buy season tickets and more than half of the rest already pay to swim. We infer from this that there is considerable potential to increase the uptake of season tickets if their value is communicated effectively and purchase made easier.
- More than 80% of our members would not want to see enforcement of charges.
The figures show consolidated responses from the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond, the Highgate Men’s Pond Association and the Mixed Pond Association. In total 1,192 members were polled and 823 (69%) responded. Opinion was remarkably consistent across the groups.
|
Yes/ agree | % | No/ disagree | % | Prefer not to say | % | |
| Were you already aware that the City of London is currently consulting the swimmer user groups on Hampstead Heath about staffing arrangements at the swimming ponds and charges? | 689 | 84% | 134 | 16% | ||
| Do you currently have a season ticket to swim at one or more of the facilities on the Heath? | 199 | 24% | 624 | 76% | ||
| If you do not have a season ticket, do you currently pay to use any of the swimming facilities on a pay-as-you-go basis? | 341 | 55% | 284 | 46% | ||
| Do you consider yourself eligible for a concessionary rate (under 16s, full-time students, people over 60, people with disabilities and people claiming state benefits)? | 300 | 36% | 486 | 59% | 37 | 4% |
| CURRENTLY the charging regime at the ponds is not strictly enforced; how do you feel about this approach? | 688 | 81% | 155 | 19% | ||
| CURRENTLY pay-as-you-go swims cost £2 (£1 concession). Do you feel these charges are fair? | 660 | 80% | 163 | 20% | ||
| CURRENTLY season ticket prices (details here) vary from £33 to £222 depending on facilities used, 6 or 12 month duration and concessions. Do you feel these charges are fair? | 577 | 70% | 246 | 30% | ||
| The City of London is proposing to enforce charges strictly, would this have an impact on your ability to swim at the ponds? | 388 | 47% | 435 | 53% | ||
| The City of London may increase charges but has not yet specified by how much, would this have an impact on your ability to swim at the ponds? | 554 | 67% | 269 | 33% |