Basically there's probably very little I can write here that hasn't already or won't be said because the arguments against this ridiculous plan are so obvious and strong. But here are a few things as I see them...

1. It is obvious that so much of the income from the bar comes from squash court users that without the courts it will become impossible to sustain this facility. Aside from the direct consequences to the regular, and not so regular users of the courts, there are several other things which are likely to result - some being:
• Loss of customers (and hence revenue) due to the lack of opportunity to use the bar area after sport / recreation.
• Loss of several jobs. (?)
• Loss in capital (What will happen to the bar equipment, pumps, tables/chairs, bar furniture, etc etc etc..?)
• Money needed to revamp the bar area once it is removed. Who will pay for this? It can't just be left as a big empty derelict space!
• There are bound to be many more consequences which will not be thought of until they occur.
2. Whilst 'contributions' were offered to the regular users (again I will not go into this in detail), I don't believe anything has been offered to staff who may lose jobs as a consequence.
3. It is the duty of Stockport Council (now through the Sports Trust) to provide recreation and sports facilities for its citizens. Unlike other boroughs, who have built separate facilities, Stockport linked its facilities with schools. This was a good idea. However it seems to me that the schools have now taken up the position that it is them who are doing the community a favour by allowing 'their' facilities to be used. This is not how the centres were originally intended to operate. By removing the squash courts, the Sports Trust is failing in its DUTY (it IS a duty - not an option) to provide adequate public facilities for its citizens. It cannot be argued correctly that a dance and drama studio will serve as an adequate replacement for these courts.
4. Quoting squash player number decline in Scotland is about as relevant and useful as quoting moose population decline in Canada, or meteorite strike increases on the moon.
5. Removal of squash courts is depriving the regular players of their facilities. This is obvious. However it is also depriving local citizens who DO NOT play squash - people who have never seen a squash ball or racket - of their opportunity to take up the game. Whilst I am not a squash player, I value my opportunity and right to be able, if I choose, to walk into my local public sports centre, hire a racket and a ball and play a different game. If the courts are removed I am being denied this right.

Squash players are not born with a racket in their hand. At some point in their life they had never of the game 'squash' , but because they had the opportunity and facilities to take up the game - they became squash players. This is how people enter into sports. Without the facilities - people cannot play their first game of squash. And adequate facilities already exist for dance and drama.

Enough said.

Good luck, guys :)