https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv0ldk81nwz2o?
Plans to revamp a dilapidated 1930s lido have resurfaced, after a council managed to resecure the building’s ownership and obtain rights to the architectural designs.
Broomhill Lido in Ipswich was leased to Fusion Lifestyles by the borough council and it had been trying to bring the site back into use, but the company fell into administration in April.
The council will need to find new funding for the restoration to take place, as previous grants awarded to revive the pool have since been withdrawn.
Neil MacDonald, leader of the Labour-run authority, said: “It’s an icon of Ipswich and we hope to bring it back into use for people to swim [in].”
Neil MacDonald, the leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said the authority hoped to make a successful bid to the National Lottery once more
The Grade II-listed lido first opened its doors to hardy swimmers in 1938, but it was shut in 2002.
Its art deco design makes it a heritage asset, and to restore it would cost about ÂŁ10m.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund had assigned nearly ÂŁ7m to the project in grants, but it withdrew the money in July 2025 due to concerns about the financial viability of Fusion Lifestyles. The council was going to provide the remaining ÂŁ3.3m.
Administrators have now returned ownership of the lido to the council, as it owns the freehold.
MacDonald said it had also managed to get the rights to the architectural plans from the receivers.
He told the BBC it was now all about the finances.
“It’s very important to put in a lottery bid that’s successful, because they will provide the bulk of the funding for this to bring it back into use,” he said.
The entrance to the Broomhill Lido. It appears in a derelict state with large bushes growing at
Planning permission for the restoration of Broomhill Lido was granted in December 2024 and will expire in December 2027.
The council said a project manager was already working on the restoration plans and “engaging with external funding partners”.
MacDonald said: “In terms of development, we will do that in-house using Hanford Developments who have a proven track record – for example, with the Grimwades building.
“Subject to securing funding, the council expects to provide a further update on progress in summer 2027.”
Mark Ling, chairman of The Broomhill Pool Trust, which campaigns to save the lido, said it “cautiously welcomes” the council’s progress.
He added that the trust was seeking “their full commitment and efforts to kick-start the scheme” before planning approval expires in December 2027.
