A SWIMMING instructor is planning to open her firm’s first swimming pool in a former industrial building.

Zoe Crane, 29, is calling on Basildon Council to approve her £250,000 plans to convert Anglia House, Stannetts, Laindon, into a brand new swimming pool.

The swimming teacher, who has 13 years experience in the leisure industry, currently teaches swimming with her company Swim Mania.

The company holds classes at The Ockendon Academy, Erriff Drive, South Ockendon and also at Beacon Hill Academy, Erriff Drive, South Ockendon.

She told how she used to hold classes at a centre in Hacton Drive, Upminster

She added: “We are planning to build a pool measuring 15 metres by six metres in the industrial building and have applied to Basildon Council for a change of use for the building.

“Our contract at the centre in Upminster had come to an end and we thought that we have to carry on our work.

“We teach both adults, children and babies including those with learning difficulties.

“We currently have about 300 people on our books and the company has been going for seven years.”

Ms Crane from Orsett, said she started her career training to become a life guard and then followed on with courses and qualifications to become an instructor.

The company has five members of staff, but bosses expected that there will be a recruitment drive if the Laindon plans are given the go-ahead by the council.

The instructor said that the pool will be extra warm to help those with disabilities and very young children,

She added: “Usually a swimming pool will be heated to 30 degrees centigrade but the Swim Mania pool would be between 32 and 33.5 degrees centigrade.

“The warmer pools can help with issues around tight muscles, especially for disabled swimmers.

“The heat of the pool can also allow us to take very young babies for classes and swimming sessions.

“We have other plans as well as the new pool, the building is two storeys and we plan to create a soft play area and a cafe on the top floor.” The council is expected to decide on the application in May.