An influential society that campaigns for the preservation of architectural heritage around the country will visit Broomhill Lido to help take the matter of saving the pool to “the national level”.
For full story see link below:
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/23788791.twentieth-century-society-visit-ipswichs-broomhill-lido/
Ipswich.Love is a new movement to shout about all the great stuff that happens across the Borough of Ipswich..about every single area that makes up Ipswich.
Trust Chairman, Mark Ling, was invited to write about his love of Ipswich, and especially Broomhill Pool. Read the full article via link below.
What is Ipswich.Love? It’s an independent not-for-profit organisation and movement, run by a team of proud Ipswich folk who want to celebrate everything about our amazing town, people, diversity, culture and creativity.
Do you have something to write about your love for Ipswich, the town, the people or the places? Show Ipswich some love. https://ipswich.love/
Launched as the Friends of Broomhill Pool in 2002, the inaugural General Meeting of the Broomhill Pool Trust http://www.broomhillpooltrust.org was on (Weds) 3rd September 2003.
As the Trust officially celebrates its 20th year, it is appropriate to reflect on the extraordinary and epic campaign we have fought. Some understandably wonder what we have been doing all this time, yet as seen from the incredible events of the last 12 months, we have been active, engaged, and focused for every one of the last 20 years.
During these two decades we’ve worked in co-operation and partnership with three administrations at Ipswich Borough Council (changes in 2004 & 2011); supervised a £67,000 feasibility study (2006) which became central to the pool’s revival; led an National Lottery Heritage Fund funding bid in 2008 which although rejected provided valuable lessons; worked hand in hand with the Borough on an all options appraisal (2009). Lobbied two administrations across 2010/2011 resulting in an agreement from the Borough to commit £1m to the project; courted Fusion Lifestyle who entered into an agreement with the Borough to lead the project in 2011; supported Ipswich Borough and Fusion Lifestyle across 2013-15 as Fusion carried out full project, cost and business planning; worked in partnership as Fusion secured £180,000 in development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund; continued to lobby the stakeholders and secure public support as a total £7m of funding was guaranteed (IBC £1.5m, HLF £3.4m, Fusion £2.1m) in 2019.
The Trust has continued to lobby tirelessly throughout Covid & beyond (2020-2022), to keep stakeholders focused, retain confidence in the project, press for all avenues to be explored to bridge the funding gap. The Trust has been fully supportive of the stakeholders, has worked to keep the campaign fresh, relevant, publicly engaged and backed for over 20 years.
Broomhill Pool enjoys cross-party political and great public support because it was an outstanding asset for our town and because it will be again.
“Hopes are rising that there could be a breakthrough in the battle to secure the funding to restore Ipswich’s Broomhill Lido after years of discussion.
“A recent meeting of the borough’s executive (Tues 11 July) discussed the current situation – but because their discussion involved commercially sensitive financial issues it had to be during the closed part of the agenda.
“However it is understood that the details they heard gave them grounds to be optimistic that the project could be restarted.
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/23650942.broomhill-lido-restoration-gets-ipswich-council-backing/
“The oldest outdoor swimming pool in the UK – the Grade II listed Cleveland Pools in Bath which first opened in 1815 – will reopen during the summer of 2023, after significant restoration. With a new 50-metre outdoor pool having opened in Brighton) in June and a council-funded restoration under way in Hull, the simple pleasure of the public outdoor pool is seeing a return to popularity to the UK.
“Some of the most iconic lidos are the magnificent art deco sites in Saltdean, Plymouth and Penzance in the south of England. These stunning sites have thankfully been saved from demolition, many others were not. Lido lovers remain hopeful that another art deco site, Broomhill Pool in Ipswich, will one day be restored.
Click on Link to see the full article.
Tom Hunt MP (Ipswich MP) tabled an adjournment debate in parliament this evening at 20:15.
Following Levelling Up Bid disappointment Hunt states “that there remains a significant but not unachievable sum to get Broomhill over the line”.
“A shortfall of around £2.5m exists which needs government help and support”.
Hunt states that he believes that “the National Lottery Heritage Fund is “open” to increasing its contribution, and that Suffolk County Council is ready to support”.
The pool” offers benefits to physical and mental health, youth activity and aspiration in Ipswich, as well as preserving a valued heritage site”.
“Ipswich Borough Councill is the eighth least active area in the country. That 30 pools [mainly school pools] have closed in Ipswich in the last 30 years”.
Hunt states that his “constituents have an emotional attachment to Broomhill pool”. He concludes that “support from the government would speak volumes for its belief in our town and its renaissance. It would be a travesty to let it [Broomhill Pool’s restoration] slip through our fingers”.
Dr Daniel Poulter (Central Suffolk & North Ipswich MP) reaffirmed his 13 years support for the pool’s revival adding that he “hoped to secure additional [Suffolk] county council funding”.
That the “pool is held in great regard across Suffolk and is a well loved community place”. “The shortfall of around £2.5m can be made up through different sources including a bid to the government’s Community Fund”.
Dan Poulter highlighted the significance of “two members of parliament in Ipswich fighting together for Broomhill Pool”.
Responding for the government, Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison MP accepted an invite from Tom Hunt MP to visit Broomhill Pool “to see the beauty and potential of the lido”.
Adding “that art deco style is her favourite style of architecture”. She reiterated that “sport brings people together and delivers much wider benefits for health”.
BBC News: East of England Look East filming at Broomhill Pool this morning. Zoie O’Brien’s report will cover Tom Hunt MP’s Adjournment debate in parliament this afternoon along with latest images of Ipswich’s Grade II listed lido.
Our thanks to BBC, Ipswich Borough Council and Stage Security.
Tom Hunt’s (MP for Ipswich) Adjournment Debate on Levelling Up and Broomhill Pool, Ipswich is scheduled between 2:30pm and 4:30pm on Monday 17 April 2023.
Parliamentary schedule Link: https://whatson.parliament.uk/commons/2023-04-17/
Parliament Live TV Link: https://parliamentlive.tv/Commons
Ipswich MP Tom Hunt has now secured an adjournment debate for Monday April 17 – a 30 minute discussion at the end of the Parliamentary day in the House of Commons Chamber.
“It will enable myself and other supportive MPs to talk in detail about the project and the potential benefits.
MPs and campaigners have been attempting to secure the necessary additional funding needed for the project, with Mr Hunt and Dr Poulter holding “productive meetings” on the matter.
“There are a few different avenues for funding, and it will likely end up being a combination of different funding streams that secure the project,” said Mr Hunt.
“I’ve been struck when talking to constituents about Broomhill the emotion that often is displayed.
“Many have very fond memories of the Lido when it was open.
“I really hope we can get it over the line. This week has been a good week, but nothing concrete has been delivered yet.”
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/23425262.ipswich-parliamentary-debate-secured-broomhill-lido/
“Over the past week I’ve attended several meetings relating to the Broomhill Lido project with my colleague Dr Dan Poulter. We’re exploring different avenues to secure the additional funding we need to get the project over the line. I’m hopeful that there may well be a pathway to us getting the project over the line. But quite a few things need to align for this to be the case.
“Coincidentally, this week I was notified that I’ve secured what they call an “Adjournment debate” on the Broomhill Lido project. This is a special debate that takes place in the House of Commons Chamber which will last for 30 minutes and will give us an opportunity to raise the profile of the issue and make very clear to the Government the various benefits it would bring to the local community.
“Most of the money has already been raised and is still secure. We still have a way to go, but I’m more confident than I was a month or so ago of a successful outcome.
“Huge credit to the Broomhill Pool Trust and others who have kept this campaign going despite all the setbacks, and Dr Dan Poulter who has been working on this longer than me!
“I feel strongly that the physical health, mental health and cultural and social benefits of the Broomhill Lido project are vast.
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/23423095.tom-hunt-ipswich-residents-sick-town-deal-funding-talk/
Broomhill Pool Trust 