Lido campaigner calls for decision on future

7 hours ago

Ben Parker

BBC News, Suffolk

The outdoor pool would attract up to 2,000 people on hot days

Broomhill Pool Trust Dozens of people standing around the shallow pool at Ipswich's outdoor Broomhill Pool. The edge of the main pool is in the foreground. — The outdoor pool would attract up to 2,000 people on hot days

A campaigner who has been calling for an outdoor pool to reopen since its closure in 2002 says a resolution on its future is needed.

Sally Wainman wants the the owner of the Ipswich's Broomhill Pool - the borough council - to find a new operator for it after a revamp to the abandoned site was plunged into fresh financial doubt.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund said £6.8m of funding that it had pledged was being pulled because work had still not started.

A spokesperson for the Labour-run council, said: "We are disappointed, but we remain committed to the restoration of the much treasured Broomhill Lido and pledge to find a way forward."

Sally Wainman says after 23 years of closure a decision is needed on whether the pool will ever reopen

Contributed Sally Wainman wearing glasses and a blue and white top. She is standing in a kitchen, only her head and shoulders are visible. — Sally Wainman says after 23 years of closure a decision is needed on whether the pool will ever reopen

The Grade II listed pool opened in 1938 and plans to restore it to its former glory have repeatedly stalled due to funding issues.

Leisure firm, Fusion Lifestyle, had been tasked with operating the pool, but the council said Fusion "had been unable to provide assurances about their financial position".

The authority said this raised concerns and brought "into question [Fusion's] ability to deliver the project, which received planning consent last year".

Broomhill Swimming Pool opened in 1938 and cost £17,000 to build

Broomhill Pool Trust Broomhill lido pictured in 1969. Blue tiles in the shape of a whale can be seen at the bottom of the pool. There are people sitting around the edge of the pool. — Broomhill Swimming Pool opened in 1938 and cost £17,000 to build

Ms Wainman says she stood in seven elections, including in the 2005 and 2010 general elections, with the pool her sole campaign point.

She said she was still hopeful of the facility being redeveloped "if there's not endless delays".

"I would like to see Ipswich Borough Council decide what they want to do and get on with it - either decide they are going to take this on themselves or ask someone else to manage the facility," she said.

Ms Wainman said she believed the Lido should not be looked at as a facility that needed to be profitable, but was a public service that could improve people's health and take strain from the NHS.

She said demolishing the pool and building houses on the site was projected to cost £1m over 20 years ago, so was not an inexpensive option.

Broomhill Lido opened to the public in the 1930s but has been closed since 2002

George King/BBC An image of the entrance to the Broomhill Lido. It appears in a debilitated state with large bushes growing at the front of it and the doorway boarded up. — Broomhill Lido opened to the public in the 1930s but has been closed since 2002

Jack Abbott, Labour MP for Ipswich, said he was disappointed to hear the news but believed "it does not mark the end of the road".

"I am pleased Ipswich Borough Council remains resolutely committed to finding a solution," he said.

Watch: Footage of pool in 1960s revealed

"I will continue to work with the council, the National Lottery and other partners to find a way forward that delivers this landmark project."

Fusion Lifestyle said: "We are actively seeking to engage with the National Heritage Lottery Fund to find a solution that ensures local residents can still benefit from this much-anticipated restoration project."