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”
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.
Your chance to register your support for Broomhill Pool on the Ipswich Cultural Strategy Survey.
Let the Ipswich Cultural Strategy team and the Ipswich City of Culture team know what you think. https://eu.jotform.com/260363418648058
The Cultural Team is asking for feedback:
“Ipswich is thinking about its future – how it feels to live here, what people can take part in, and how creativity shows up in everyday life. We’re working on a long-term Cultural Strategy to shape our cultural offer, and we’ve also put our name forward for City of Culture.
“This survey is a chance to have your say. What you share will help make sure plans for Ipswich are shaped by local voices, and that any City of Culture bid is stronger because it’s rooted in real experiences, not just big ideas.
“You don’t need to be “into culture” to take part, we’re interested in everyday life, creativity in all its forms, and what Ipswich means to you.
“What do we mean by culture and creativity? We mean whatever it means to you. It could be art, music, sport, food, fashion, gaming, street life, history, language, making things, caring for others, telling stories, online spaces, or something else entirely.
“There are no right answers. We want to understand how Ipswich feels, looks and works from your point of view. You can answer about Ipswich as a whole or focus on a specific place, space, or experience that means a lot to you.
While the New Wolsey Theatre is facilitating the survey, all responses will be securely transferred to and analysed by the Ipswich Cultural Strategy team and the Ipswich City of Culture team. Your data will be stored and processed in line with UK Data Protection Policy by Ipswich Central, and will be used solely for this purpose. The Ipswich City of Culture 2029 Company and the Cultural Strategy Team will also use this data in accordance with these same data protection standards.
An Analysis and Presentation of Survey Responses:
The report summarises the outcomes of 206 community submissions, highlighting the suggestions and priorities identified by local people. Jack Abbott MP is sharing these findings to guide Ipswich Borough Council in making strategic, evidence-based decisions that reflect local needs and aspirations
“A number of responses, there was a strong desire to see heritage-led recreation, such as the Broomhill Lido“.
“Broomhill Lido & Heritage Leisure: Within the responses referencing this re-development, there was a profound emotional attachment to the Broomhill Lido. Residents view its restoration not just as a leisure project, but as a restoration of civic pride.
“The Logic: Respondents argued that by combining the Pride in Place fund with existing restoration efforts, the Council can secure a “heritage jewel” that acts as a major regional summer attraction, bringing tourism back into the town’s periphery.
Read the full Pride in Place report to explore the ideas and priorities shared by residents that will help shape Ipswich’s future: http://www.jackabbott.org/pride-in-place
Features Broomhill Pool Trust President, Mike Read MBE (Channel Swimmer and Masters World Champion at 84 years young).
ITV’s This Morning Programme: World’s Fittest Grandparents/ Broadcast on 06/03/26
They’re the golden oldies proving that age is just a number. 91-year-old Peter is still bouncing and winning trampoline gold medals despite being a great grandfather; grandmother Sarah is still breaking running records as the world’s fastest 75-year-old woman; and 84-year-old Michael has swum the Channel 33 times and continues to put his breast stroke forward. They’re here to tell us about their senior herculean efforts.
The Broomhill Pool clock is ticking. 22 months to save the ONLY unrestored LISTED LIDO IN BRITAIN*.
Planning consent for the approved scheme, design, will expire 11 Dec 2027.
Unless spades are on the ground and this scheme is in progress by then, the £250,000 development costs so far will be lost. A twice approved The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant (of £6.8m) will be lost for Ipswich Borough Council and citizens of our town.
*There are 20 listed public lidos in Britain. Only Ipswich’s Grade II listed Broomhill Pool remains derelict and at real risk of being lost.
Image (C) Dave Thompson design. Available to buy online.
Broomhill Pool Trust 