Author: broomhillpooltrust

Ipswich Borough Council is pleased to announce that work to progress the redevelopment of the historic Broomhill Lido can now begin, marking an important milestone in bringing one of the town’s most cherished heritage assets back into use.

The Council has successfully secured possession of the site from the administrators of Fusion Lifestyle and obtained the rights to use the designs developed for the previous redevelopment project. The resolution of these matters removes the key barriers that have prevented progress and enables the Council to move forward with the next phase of work.

Broomhill Lido is a rare surviving example of an early twentieth-century open-air swimming pool and is a significant historic leisure asset. Opened in the 1930s, the Grade II-listed facility served generations of residents before closing in 2002. Despite strong community support and several attempts to secure its future, the site has remained vacant for more than two decades.
While the journey to bring Broomhill Lido back into use has been a long one, each milestone reached has strengthened the foundation for its future restoration. The Council has remained steadfast in its commitment to this much-loved landmark, recognising both its unique heritage value and its special place in the hearts of residents.

With the necessary agreements now in place, the project can move into its next phase. This will include appointing specialist consultants, reviewing and enhancing the existing designs, securing external funding, progressing the necessary permissions and preparing for the procurement of construction works. These important steps will help ensure that the redevelopment is carefully planned, financially sustainable and capable of delivering a lasting legacy for Ipswich and future generations; the first steps are already underway, with a project manager appointed to lead the redevelopment programme, and discussions with potential external funding partners.

As funding previously secured for the project was awarded to Fusion Lifestyle and has since lapsed, new applications for external funding will be required. Subject to securing that funding, the Council expects to provide a further update on progress in summer 2027.

Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader, Ipswich Borough Council, said:
“Broomhill Lido is one of Ipswich’s most treasured heritage assets and holds a special place in the hearts of many local people. We are pleased to have reached this important milestone, which allows us to begin the work needed to move the redevelopment forward.
“There is still a significant amount of work ahead, and we want to be open that restoring a site of this scale and historic importance will take time. However, our commitment to bringing Broomhill Lido back into sustainable public use remains unchanged, and we look forward to working with partners, funders and the community as the project develops.”

The redevelopment aims to rescue the Grade II-listed Lido from further deterioration while preserving its distinctive historic character. Plans will focus on conserving significant heritage features, enhancing accessibility, improving sustainability and creating a welcoming destination for residents and visitors of all ages.

The project will also seek to strengthen community engagement through interpretation, activities and partnerships that celebrate the Lido’s rich social history and contribution to Ipswich’s identity. By retaining and repairing historic structures wherever possible, the redevelopment will reduce waste, whilst seeking opportunities to explore energy-efficient services, sustainable drainage, biodiversity improvements and sensitive landscaping that complements the site’s heritage significance.

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 £10m.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund had assigned nearly £7m 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 £3.3m.

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.

Thanks for all the incredible interest and feedback on our Lost Pools of Ipswich feature.

Over 50,000 views (32,000 viewers) on Facebook & 4300 on Linked in. We have updated and amended the list based on your input.

BROOMHILL POOL STATUS:

Broomhill Pool is one of 20 listed lidos in the U.K. but the only one not saved, restored, or operational. Will it be a civic and social centrepiece, or forgotten, in the 2029 City of Culture bid?

There are interested operators. The scheme is planning approved. The precedent is there for NLHF to approve a direct bid from Ipswich Borough Council. We are now at a critical juncture with Ipswich Borough Council (which may cease to exist in 2027 due to local government reform).

The National Lottery Heritage Fund withdrew its £6.8m funding commitment (to lease holder and applicant, Fusion Lifestyle) on 11 July, 2025. Over a year has passed, yet Ipswich Borough Council has still not secured the return of Broomhill Pool’s lease. Critically, the lease had not been resecured by the time Fusion Lifestyle entered administration (01 April 2026). IBC has not progressed the existing scheme – or sort new options or operators for the pool – and not until the lease is in its possession.

In recent months, The Broomhill Pool Trust, Ipswich and Historic England are supporting IBC with possible Development Funding Grants towards a fresh NLHF bid. The Broomhill Pool Trust has been active behind the scenes throughout. As members of Historic Pools of Britain, and Future Lidos, we have a solid network and understanding of potential replacement operators for Broomhill Pool. We are aware of a number of top operator(s) candidates that are both qualified and interested in restoring and operating Broomhill Pool, PLUS can potentially carry forward the existing [planning approved] scheme. We have asked them to contact IBC directly to formally enquire and express their interest.

Please continue to support The Broomhill Pool Trust, and lobby your MPs, Councillors, or Borough contacts at every opportunity to keep positive pressure and focus.

Trust calls on Jack Abbott MP, Neil MacDonald (Leader Ipswich Borough Council), and Ipswich 2029 City of Culture Team. We need an action plan and demonstrable commitment to save our lido.

Spotlight Suffolk: What change should City of Culture bring to Ipswich?

At last night’s event with an audience of 200.

Mike Read MBE, King of the Channel and President of the Broomhill Pool Trust received huge applause for this heartfelt appeal:

“Ladies and gentlemen,

If this meeting would like to make a lasting contribution to the town, then I would implore it to persuade the culture committee to put its full weight and support behind supporting the restoration of Broomhill Lido.

Actually, support and focus is not enough, if there was one thing I learned from my days at work, the only way to get things achieved is by ruthless focus, not something we’re very good at, but essential for this task.

I know it is a big ask, but I was taught………..the impossible we do at once, miracles take a little longer.

Broomhill is a ready-made package sitting in the town’s planning office ready to start but like most already to start products, it has a sell by date, and the sell by date is December 2027, a little more than 15 months away now.

After that date anything that needs to be done to Broomhill Pool will need to go back to planning permission and that could easily lead to a further 18-month delay in any restoration.

 Why do I implore you to support the restoration of Broomhill Lido?

It ticks every box! A safe sanctuary for children wanting to enjoy the school holidays safely and supervised, learning to swim, learning water safety, swimming skills, lifesaving skills, diving, sub-aqua, scuba diving, PADI courses, canoeing, sailing, water polo, underwater hockey, triathlon, making friends, keeping healthy, getting exercise and keeping out of trouble, to mention the first things that come to mind.

It is a fantastic benefit for a relatively deprived northwest Ipswich.

An iconic Grade 2 listed landmark for Ipswich and Suffolk, saved and restored and with an anticipated life span of 50 years. It is part of our heritage and culture, we are surrounded by water, and water and milling have been our lifeline certainly since the 16th century.

A facility where adults can keep fit and stay healthy and possibly even lose weight.

A facility where adults can make new friends and learn new skills.

A heated facility which would operate all year round and would be perfect, not only for people’s mental health but also, physical, and social health.

Every year adults and children are lost to drowning incidents mainly because they have nowhere to swim safely, Broomhill would fill that safety gap.

With the current annual record-breaking temperatures, it is a facility which is becoming more in demand every year as our climate gets warmer and warmer, and one which will double the water space available for water activities in our town, at a stroke.

It will also allow breathing time or the local council to raise enough money to build the new indoor pool which is currently also in the planning department.

We are assured that the project has the backing of the town councillors and the local MP, but we need demonstrable commitment and a clear action plan..

It would be a long-lasting monument and achievement for our councillors and the culture committee and for our town which is full of aspiration!“

Make sure that Broomhill Pool is not forgotten in such important discussions.
Feel free to attend and speak up if there’s a chance to support the pool’s restoration as a flagship of our town’s City of Culture bid.

University of Suffolk asks: What lasting change should City of Culture bring to Ipswich? 💛

Join us on Tuesday 7 July for our next Spotlight Suffolk event, where we’ll explore how the Ipswich City of Culture 2029 bid could help shape the future of our town.

Chaired by Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, our panel brings together voices from across culture, heritage and the community: Amy Vaughan, Kath Cockshaw, Marcus Harris-Noble and Dr Amanda H..

Expect an open conversation around how culture can create opportunities for young people, support wellbeing and drive lasting change across Ipswich.

🔗 Book your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spotlight-suffolk-what-change-should-city-of-culture-bring-to-ipswich-tickets-1988092887344

Read the full news story 👉 https://www.uos.ac.uk/about/news/2026/university-to-host-event-to-discuss-how-city-of-culture-bid-can-change-ipswichs-future/

Who remembers the brilliant sundial and murals painted by the super talented Broomhill Pool Lifeguard, Stu Fitzpatrick?

Stu writes: “Here’s a photo of me painting my design of a sundail flowers in pot in the pool’s courtyard area just through the main reception. I produced this when I was working there in 1993. The idea was that the sundial user stood on the pot and the sun would cast their shadow up the stem of the flower which displayed the current time. I created this to reduce the amount times I was asked the time by children”

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/26121213.broomhill-lido-urban-explorers-warned-recent-videos

Against the backdrop of Fusion Lifestyle entering administration, the interview provides the present status and overview, plus future outlook for the Broomhill Pool restoration project.

Please click on Listen Again link below for today (Friday). Interview is from 00:22 to 00:32 mins.

https://listenagain.suffolksound.com/