Gateshead Leisure Centre could reopen in November under plans to bring the shuttered facility back to life.

The popular centre was closed down on Friday, having fallen victim to controversial budget cuts from Gateshead Council.

But there are firm proposals to prevent the closure of the Alexandra Road site from becoming permanent, with a newly-established community organisation bidding to take it over.

While the centre will stay shut for the school summer holidays, the Gateshead Active group is hopeful of finalising a community asset transfer deal that will see it take control of the site from the council.

The group has now launched a new crowdfunding effort, seeking to secure an initial £40,000 to help push ahead with the relaunch – with a longer-term target of £100,000.

Former councillor Robert Waugh, who has been leading the asset transfer efforts, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I can’t see any reason why we should not be open at some point in November. November 1 is the target, there may be some slippage on that but hopefully not much.”

He said that the money raised from the new online fundraising page will be put towards the rebranding of the centre and a marketing campaign for its relaunch to try and make sure the reopening is “the most successful possible”, as well as helping to cover some legal fees.

The online fundraiser is available at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/reopen-gateshead-leisure-centre

Friday’s closure was a moment of sadness for locals who have used Gateshead Leisure Centre for decades, with it having first opened in the 1940s as the Shipcote Baths.

It has left local clubs searching for a new home and families without their local swimming pool and soft play area, at least temporarily.

Mr Waugh, who was a Labour councillor in the Saltwell ward before losing his seat in May, has urged residents to throw their support behind the reopening plans to ensure they come to fruition.

He said: “You can be angry that the centre is not going to be there this summer, but the only way it is going to be there in the future is if this is supported and people get on board. It is the only way we will have a centre going forward.

“I completely understand the frustration and anger, but if we want this to be there in the future then this is the way.”

Birtley Swimming Centre also closed its doors on Friday, but too is the subject of a community asset transfer plan.

It will be rebranded as the Birtley Community Aquatics Centre ahead of an anticipated reopening next April.

Those plans are at an earlier stage than Gateshead Active’s and are being led by the Gateshead and Whickham Swimming Club alongside Birtley Swimming Club.