At the moment, it’s hard to believe that summer will ever return. It feels like the UK has been plunged into an eternal cold – but the warmth will return, and with it bring back one of Britain’s finest historic lidos. Well, in two year’s time.
Broomhill Lido in Ipswich is one of only 17 swimming pools in the country with official ‘listed’ status and was originally built in the 1930s. It was forced to close its doors in 2002 due to dwindling visitor numbers, but after 20 years of campaigning from the Broomhill Pool Trust, its future has been secured.
The £10 million renovations are expected to begin in 2024, with the goal of reopening in the spring of 2026. Fusion Lifestyle, the organisation leading and partially funding the project, aims to maintain its characteristic architecture whilst breathing new life into a building which has sat dormant for two decades. The lido will remain largely the same as it was, other than the addition of a community leisure centre where the men’s changing rooms had previously been.
Tom Hunt, MP for Ipswich, described the pool as a ‘local treasure’ which has ‘created a great many memories for the people of Ipswich’.
He added: ‘I’m pleased to see everyone’s hard work pay off. I have worked tirelessly in support of the Broomhill Lido… I’m thrilled that we will be able to support this legacy for future generations.’
If you fancy visiting a lido but don’t want to wait several years, no need to panic. Luckily, we’ve already compiled a definitive list of the best lidos in the country for all your outdoor swimming needs.
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