7 November, 2025 By Oliver Rouane-Williams. See full story at: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/articles/why-broomhill-pool-campaigners-refuse-to-give-up
Despite two failed attempts to secure funding for one of Britain’s finest lidos, the Broomhill Pool Trust chairman is urging stakeholders to “finally get the project over the line” – arguing the scheme is ready-made with planning permission, design approval, and unprecedented public support.
Young Fabio Wardley at Broomhill Pool.
Photo credit: BBC Look East
A review of the Broomhill Pool Trust Timeline (Campaign Timelines and Key Developments) during the last 12-18 months – let alone the previous epic 21 years of effort – demonstrates how agonisingly close the stakeholders and we have been, TWICE, to securing Broomhill Pool’s restoration.
This is not a time for looking backwards, for blame, or to lose sight of the goal. It is to Fusion Lifestyle’s great credit that despite unprecedented conditions (during and post covid) they remained committed to the Broomhill Pool project. Sadly, they have not been able to demonstrate the financial certainty to unlock the £6.8m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.
However, Ipswich Borough Council remain resolute with their commitment. The Trust will be lobbying IBC and NLHF to work directly together: a) to provide the necessary financial platform and b) to deliver a project that they have TWICE backed, and whose merits and benefits remain as strong as ever. If re-elected as Chairman this AGM I commit to doubling down our energy and efforts, to ensure the Trust’s full partnership to back the stakeholders to get this wonderful public asset saved, and for a successful outcome to this epic campaign.
For my chairman’s 2025 Report, I cannot summarise or restate our aims any clearer than the in the statement below (in italic fonts). The Trust sent this to IBC & NHLF on 15 July 2025, immediately after news that NLHF had pulled their £6.8m grant to Fusion.
“Whilst the Trust is deeply concerned by NLHF’s decision to pull their £6.8m grant to Fusion Lifestyle, we are in some ways relieved. As outlined in our letter to stakeholders (7 July 2025) it has become apparent that it was a catch 22, where a scheme with 98% capital funding guaranteed by IBC & NLHF could not proceed unless or until Fusion could provide financial certainty.
It is a serious setback with NLHF withdrawing their grant to Fusion. Yet, if the scheme can quickly be rebooted with IBC making the application, then financial certainty and cash flow is there. The project is ready made with planning permission, design, and approved in principle.
We therefore appeal for IBC & NLHF to act swiftly and seek to re-secure the NLHF’s £6.8m grant directly. We ask you to consider the progress made and what Broomhill Pool’s restoration offers:
• Arguably this is a far stronger financial platform moving forward, and the Trust will be working flat out in support of and partnership with IBC to encourage them to press ahead.
• The scheme has planning approval, and an approved design.
• There is a long-standing project team in place, with many local companies who know the gig, and are keen to progress.
• This is a grade II listed lido, one of the finest in Britain. It is Britain’s deepest outdoor public pool.
•The lido restoration has incredible public support and cross-party political backing.
• IBC have reaffirmed their £3.3m commitment and have given firm reassurances they are committed to getting the Broomhill restoration project done.
• This is a scheme the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been keen to support (TWICE). This is the first major funding into North Ipswich, and one of the largest grants for all Ipswich area. The locality is home to two pockets of deprivation, and this project can transform its fortunes.
The Trust has campaigned tirelessly and positively for 23 years. As community champion we appeal to you both to come together, to finally get the project over the line and save this wonderful asset for future generations”.
Mark Ling, Chair of the Broomhill Pool Trust. October 2025. ML 22.10.2025
C20 Society has written to Ipswich Borough Council and the NLHF, strongly urging both parties to commit to continuing the project and appoint an operator in due course, rather than wait and jeopardise the future of the site.
The letter follows National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) recent decision to withdraw their £6.8m funding from the £10+ million project, citing concerns over the financial position of operator Fusion Lifestyle.
Read C20’s full article at https://c20society.org.uk/news/broomhill-pool-campaigners-vow-to-continue-after-funding-setback?
And their Facebook post at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZcwqiHQ65/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Meet Michael Read, an 84-year-old open water icon who has swum the English Channel an astonishing 33 times! 🏊♂️💪 From icy waters to historic milestones, his story is one of endurance, inspiration, and pure love for the sport. This is more than a record it’s a legacy.
World Aquatics, formerly known as the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA), is the sole and exclusive world governing body for all Aquatics.
See the video tribute to Mike at: http://www.worldaquatics.com/videos/4329337/michael-read-84-year-old-swimming-legend-who-conquered-the-english-channel-33-times
Mike Read MBE is Honorary President of the Broomhill Pool Trust, and embodies our determination and endurance to complete the task.
https://www.ipswich.co.uk/articles/broomhill-trust-deeply-concerned-about-lido-project
The future of Ipswich’s historic outdoor swimming pool hangs in the balance after the National Lottery Heritage Fund made the “difficult decision” to withdraw funding.
11 July, 2025
By Oliver Rouane-Williams
Oliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
The entrance to Broomhill Lido
Why it matters: After more than two decades of determined campaigning, fundraising battles, and rollercoaster moments of hope and disappointment, the community’s dream of restoring their beloved lido faces its biggest setback yet.
What’s new: After a lengthy period of prolonged uncertainty, the National Lottery Heritage Fund has pulled the plug on its support, citing concerns over delivery partner Fusion Lifestyle’s financial position. The fund had pledged £3.8m in 2018 and a further £3m in 2023 but said it had now withdrawn after “work had not started.”
“Unfortunately, despite this support, work has not yet begun on site,” a spokesperson said.
“We understand this will be disappointing news as we recognise the significance of Broomhill Pool to the local community, both as a cherished historic site and a place filled with fond memories.”
The big picture: The setback comes after years of delays have already pushed back the restoration. The project was initially postponed when Covid-19 hit, then faced further delays when planning permission had to be granted a second time last year.
Six months later, with the £10m restoration still not underway, the heritage fund said it wanted to perform financial due diligence on the project.
What they’re saying: Mark Ling, chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust, said the trust was “deeply concerned but in some ways relieved” by the funding withdrawal.
“It had become apparent that it was a catch 22 where a scheme with 98 per cent capital funding guaranteed by IBC and NLHF could not proceed unless or until Fusion could provide financial certainty,” he said.
“The way that funding works is that when the works commence, the applicant/project lead must evidence the works and then funding is then released in agreed stages/increments.
“But in a scheme this big the applicant needs the cash flow and financial certainty to outlay the large sums of monies upfront.”
He said the trust had “lost confidence in the stakeholders to complete the project outcome” but called for Ipswich Borough Council to “act swiftly” and “resecure NLHF funding with greater financial certainty.”
“Arguably this is a stronger financial platform moving forward, and the Trust will be working flat out in support of and partnership with IBC to encourage them to press ahead,” he added.
Fusion Lifestyle
Architect’s renders of Broomhill Lido
The other side: An Ipswich Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has made this difficult decision. Fusion, the developer and operator for the scheme had been unable to provide assurances about their financial position through published audited accounts for the 2023/24 year, bringing into question their ability to deliver the project which received planning consent last year.
“Ipswich Borough Council remains committed to the restoration of the much treasured Broomhill Lido and pledges to work with the Broomhill Trust to try to find a way forward. We also have a meeting scheduled with the National Lottery Heritage Fund next week to look at how we might be able to progress the project.
“Importantly the council’s £3.3m financial contribution for the project will remain ringfenced for the restoration in our budget and we call on other smaller funders such as Suffolk County Council to continue to ring-fence their grants and work with us to find a solution in the coming weeks and months.”
What’s next: The council will meet with heritage fund officials next week in what it described as “an initial exploratory meeting” to “understand their position in more detail and to explore any potential options for the future of the project.”
The trust is hoping the council could take over as the funding applicant.
The bottom line: After more than two decades of campaigning and planning, the beloved lido’s future remains uncertain, but both the council and trust remain committed to finding a way forward despite the major funding setback.
George King
BBC News, Suffolk
The future of a historical and abandoned outdoor swimming pool has been plunged into doubt after millions of pounds worth of funding was withdrawn.
Broomhill Lido, in Ipswich, was shut down in 2002, having provided families and swimmers with a place to cool off and take a dip since the 1930s.
Since then, attempts have been made to restore the Grade II listed open-air pool to its former glory, but the plans have repeatedly stalled due to funding issues.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which pledged £3.8m to the project in 2018 and a further £3m in 2023, said it had now made the “difficult decision to withdraw” after work had not started.
“Unfortunately, despite this support, work has not yet begun on site,” a spokesperson added.
“We understand this will be disappointing news as we recognise the significance of Broomhill Pool to the local community, both as a cherished historic site and a place filled with fond memories.”
The National Lottery Heritage Fund had joined forces with Ipswich Borough Council and Fusion Lifestyle to save the lido about eight years ago.
The work was postponed when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, but then continued to get delayed, to the point where planning permission had to be granted a second time last year.
Six months later, with the £10m restoration still not underway, the National Lottery Heritage Fund said it wanted to perform financial due diligence on the project.
But, according to Ipswich Borough Council, Fusion Lifestyle “had been unable to provide assurances about their financial position”.
The authority said this raised concerns and brought “into question their ability to deliver the project, which received planning consent last year”.
A spokesperson for the 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.
“We also have a meeting scheduled with the National Lottery Heritage Fund next week to look at how we might be able to progress the project.
“Importantly, the council’s £3.3m financial contribution for the project will remain ringfenced for the restoration in our budget.”
Fusion Lifestyle said it was both “surprised and disappointed” by the decision, having “only been made aware in the last 48 hours”.
“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,” a spokesperson told the BBC.
Mark Ling, chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust, believed there was still an appetite to turn the fortunes of the swimming pool around.
“It is disappointing, but I think there’s still a will and a commitment to make Broomhill happen and Ipswich Borough Council remains absolutely committed,” he said.
“We can get an art deco Grade II listed lido, one of the finest pools in the country, open here in Ipswich, which will bring great credit to Ipswich.”
NewsLast updated 26 March, 2025
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26 March, 2025
After two decades of fiercely committed campaigning, hope and excitement, has the restoration of Ipswich’s Broomhill Lido been shelved?
Why it matters: After two decades of campaigning and planning, uncertainty over whether this historic venue’s restoration will go ahead, despite years of dedicated work to secure funding and approvals, is rife.
The big picture: Contrary to growing rumours, Broomhill Lido’s restoration project has not been shelved but remains in limbo awaiting final National Lottery Heritage Fund approval. The NLHF make up £6.8m of the £10.35m required to deliver the project, so the project cannot proceed until they have given it the final green light.
What they’re saying: Mark Ling, a long-time campaigner for the project and chair of the Broomhill Pool Trust, the charitable organisation that has championed it for two decades, is “extremely concerned by the hold-up” and worries about the project’s future if a decision cannot be made swiftly.
Talking of the “last-minute extra scrutiny” of the project by the NLHF, Ling stated: “Whilst we accept that financial due diligence is essential, particularly with projects and public funding on this scale, we find the handling and timing frustrating.
However, he also expressed his frustration: “Both IBC and NLHF were fully aware of Fusion’s (along with many leisure operators) financial predicament post-covid—hence their agreement in December 2023 to cover close to 98% of the £10m+ scheme.
“They deemed at that time that, whilst Fusion Lifestyle’s capital reserves had been hit, they were resilient enough and possessed the expertise to administer the project restoration and to operate the lido.”
“IBC Planning consent had been expected by June 2024 yet ran to December 2024, adding to inflationary pressures and causing a further capital gap that Fusion was always going to struggle with.
“Now, 15 months after agreeing to grant funding – and with both IBC and Fusion having already signed off on the scheme – the NLHF suddenly risks pulling the plug on Broomhill!
“This is a matter of urgency and credibility for Ipswich and the NLHF.”
The other side: A spokesperson from the NLHF said they continue “to stand by partners involved in the project” and stressed that the baton is currently with Fusion Lifestyle: “As we are now into 2025, we have requested updated financial and other information to satisfy ourselves that the project is in a good position to begin. We await that information.”
Behind the scenes: While specific reasons for the NLHF delay haven’t been confirmed, Fusion Lifestyle, the grant applicant, restoration lead, and intended operator of the lido, has faced challenges elsewhere in the country.
Haringey Council terminated its contract with Fusion in 2023 after “a series of long-running issues and closures,” while Southend Council chose not to renew its contract this year following “a series of failures.”
The organisation, a registered charity that manages 39 health and fitness centres, 29 indoor swimming pools and four lidos across the country, has been under scrutiny in several locations, including Lambeth, Tottenham, Croydon, and Bedford.
It is believed this could be a factor in the NLHF’s delayed decision-making.
Despite concerns: The Broomhill Pool Trust continues to back Fusion Lifestyle as the best operator for the job.
How we got here: The restoration effort has been a long journey:
What’s next: While there had been hopes that work would start in April, the project needs the NLHF to give the final green light before proceeding.
The bottom line: The Broomhill Pool Trust has expressed frustration over the timeline, noting the project would have been delivered in 2020 if not for Covid and planning processes overrunning.
“The Trust and pool supporters call upon all stakeholders to work flat out to find a solution now, before the costs go up again and the scheme is permanently lost,” concludes Ling.
Broomhill Pool Trust is delighted to have received a £10,000 funding grant from NW Ipswich Big Local Trust.
Julie Marker, Community Officer at the BLT visited the pool earlier this year.
“Stepping into Broomhill Pool, it’s like entering a time capsule. The once vibrant community hub, frozen in time, now stands as a testament to bygone days. But amidst its stillness, there’s an air of anticipation, a promise of revival.
“Broomhill Pool was a key recreation facility serving northwest Ipswich (and far beyond) for many years.
“The BLT is delighted to give our backing to its restoration and we know what it means for so many people here.
Mark Ling, Broomhill Pool Trust Chairman added,
“This generous grant from a key community partner is a positive message to the pool’s stakeholders. It demonstrates resolute support from the local community.
“First and foremost, the funds can help securing and restoring the pool facility. The Trust will ensure that the funding is used to directly benefit the local community.
“As a longer-term objective, the Trust understands that any works to the diving stage will be in the second phase of the restoration plans. The Trust is working closely with Fusion Lifestyle on this.
Note: The Trust has already successfully lobbied to secure the pool depth at 15ft so that high diving is very much possible.
Grade II listed Broomhill Pool will continue to be the deepest outdoor public pool in Britain (jointly with Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth).
For more information about NW Ipswich BIg Local Trust, please see https://www.nwipswichblt.co.uk/ & www.facebook.com/nwipswichblt
For more information and updates about the pool, please see www.broomhillpooltrust.org & www.facebook.com/BroomhillPoolTrust
Broomhill Pool Trust 