News

Ipswich Borough Council Press Statement: Broomhill Lido Restoration Secured

by broomhillpooltrust

Published12th January 2024

https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/broomhill-lido-restoration-secured

Fusion Lifestyle will lead the £10m restoration of Broomhill Lido, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Ipswich Borough Council.

The restoration will see the pool provide swimming, fitness and community facilities.

Fusion-Lifestyle is the leading operator of heritage leisure buildings, and will lead the works and ongoing delivery of the service at Broomhill.

Fusion Lifestyle, the charitable sports and leisure management organisation, has today announced it has secured grant funding from The National Heritage Lottery Fund and Ipswich Borough Council to complete the long-planned restoration of the historic, Grade II listed Broomhill Lido.

The grants will help cover the almost £10m required to complete the project, with the restoration seeing the open-air pool in the centre of Ipswich returned to its former glory; providing swimming, fitness, and community facilities to the local area. This follows over 20 years of efforts from campaigners and user groups in support of the proposals.

Councillor John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, said:  “Ipswich Borough Council is thrilled that Broomhill Lido will be brought back to life.   Thanks to funding from the Council, Fusion Lifestyles, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this historic local landmark will be restored to its former glory.

The restoration of Broomhill Lido stands as testament to the Council’s and Fusion Lifestyle’s tenacity and strategic commitment, alongside the support of our community to bring this cherished attraction into use.

 Ipswich Borough Council is providing a £3.3 million grant to the partnership, which will see the regeneration of Broomhill Lido, creating an attraction which entices more people to work, live, and visit Ipswich.”Ipswich MP Tom Hunt, said: “This is an exciting project, and I’m pleased to see everyone’s hard work pay off. I have worked tirelessly in support of the Broomhill Lido; I believe it is a local treasure which has created a great many memories for the people of Ipswich, and I’m thrilled that we will be able to support this legacy for future generations.”

Fusion-Lifestyle is the leading operator of heritage leisure buildings and will lead the works and ongoing delivery of the service at Broomhill. Work will take place over a two-year period, with a planned opening in early 2026, bringing much-welcomed opportunities for local users and visitors alike. It will also offer a number of year-round full-time roles, and casual jobs over the peak season.

The new facility will undergo some modernisation works but will maintain its characteristic feel and will be enhanced with a new gym and studio offering, as well as the reinstatement of the lido and nursery pool.

Mark Rogers, Communities and Partnerships Director, at Fusion-Lifestyle said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to deliver this exciting project and reinstate the Broomhill Lido at the heart of the local community. It’s been a long-planned project that we’re sure will delight the community. We want to take the opportunity to thank The National Heritage Lottery Fund and Ipswich Borough Council for all their support in making this happen”.

Robyn Llewellyn, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We are delighted to support Fusion Lifestyle with their ambitious plans for the restoration and redevelopment of Broomhill Lido. Once restored, Broomhill Lido aims to be an inclusive, vibrant hub which gives renewed purpose to a site steeped in history.

“At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we aim to ensure heritage sites like this Grade II listed lido are valued and sustained for all to enjoy now and into the future, and we look forward to seeing visitors and locals enjoy the Lido when it reopens.”

Gallery-future

Breakthrough for Broomhill – Funding Package Agreed to Restart Restoration Process.

by broomhillpooltrust

STATEMENT FROM THE BROOMHILL POOL TRUST:

“What a wonderful way to start the year! This really is news to lift the spirits of the whole town.

“A significant breakthrough for Broomhill Pool is announced today as stakeholders agree a FUNDING PACKAGE to get Broomhill Pool’s restoration restarted.

“To their huge credit both Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) and National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) have both upped their commitment and financial stake.

“Additionally, Fusion Lifestyle brings considerable expertise. They are the largest operator of heritage lidos and pools in the UK. They have unrivalled experience with heritage pools and lidos, funding, restoration, and operation.

“The Broomhill Pool Trust has worked to keep the campaign fresh, relevant, publicly engaged and backed for over 20 years. Broomhill Pool enjoys cross-party political + great public support because it was an outstanding asset for Ipswich and because it will be again.

“The Trust looks forward to working in partnership with all the stakeholders during the restoration process and as an active community partner for one of Britain’s finest lidos.

For full story see Ipswich Star link: https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/24043519.broomhill-pool-ipswich-gets-final-restoration-go-ahead/

Trust contributes towards lifesaving defibrillator for Broomhill area.

by broomhillpooltrust

A potentially lifesaving defibrillator has been installed at Ipswich’s Broomhill Library, Ipswich on Sherrington Road.

The new equipment was unveiled by Ipswich Mayor, Cllr Lynne Mortimer and Central Suffolk & North Ipswich MP, Dr Dan Poulter. They were joined by local Ipswich Borough and Suffolk County Councillor, Inga Lockington at the library’s Christmas Fayre last weekend.

The £2000 cost was jointly funded by The Broomhill Library Friends and The Broomhill Pool Trust, Ipswich.

Full story at: https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/23990191.ipswich-broomhill-library-presented-lifesaver/?

PHOTOS: C20 Society visit to Broomhill Pool (Saturday 23 September, 2023).

by broomhillpooltrust

Members of highly influential C20 Society visited Suffolk’s County Town as part of an “Ipswich Sacred and Secular Tour”.

The sell-out tour, led by former Society Chairman and Architectural Historian, Dr Alan Powers, included [amongst others] visits to five of Ipswich’s twentieth century churches. A visit to view Grade II listed, Broomhill Pool was a highlight of the visit.

The C20 Society has long championed Broomhill Pool and has backed the Broomhill Pool Trust in its efforts. C20 Society actively supported Broomhill Pool’s Grade II listing in 2001, made the lido its “Building of the month in 2006”, and has consistently added its written support and weight during key moments of the 20 years campaign to save the lido. The Trust was delighted to welcome members of the C20 Society, providing them with an overview of the pool’s history and present status. The Trust has arranged a new print run of Broomhill Pool’s 1938 Souvenir Opening Programme to celebrate the C20 visit, the 20th Birthday of the Broomhill Pool Trust, and the 85th Anniversary of the opening of the pool.

About C20: https://c20society.org.uk/

The Twentieth Century Society exists to safeguard the heritage of architecture and design in Britain from 1914 onwards. The Twentieth Century Society was founded in 1979, as a direct response to growing interest in C20th architecture and to complement the preservation work of the Victorian Society, which was founded in 1959. It campaigns to save outstanding buildings and design that have shaped the British landscape since 1914.

OUT NOW! Broomhill Pool 1938 opening “Souvenir Programme”

by broomhillpooltrust

To celebrate the 85th Anniversary of the opening of the pool (30 April 1938) and the 20th year of the Broomhill Pool Trust (est. 3 Sept 2003), we have arranged a new print run of Broomhill Pool’s 1938 Souvenir Opening Programme (reproduction). 

The Trust has faithfully reproduced the original 1938 “opening Programme”. A 32-page document full of civic pride, heritage, and nostalgia; featuring the opening words from County-Borough of Ipswich, Mayor Underwood. Plus, Broom Hill Pool & Pipers Vale Pool specifications, original photos, opening gala Ipswich V Leamington; list of contractors; and original 1938 adverts for the contractors and suppliers.

Not only is the re-printed programme a fitting tribute to the pool’s 85th anniversary, but also a timely reminder to Councillors, Funders & Stakeholders (IBC, NLHF and Fusion Lifestyle) and the Ipswich public what an outstanding asset the pool was and will be again.

The Trust reproduction will sell for £5.00 and will be available at Broomhill Library and Castle Hill Community Centre.

Or £7.50 incl. P&P within UK mainland.

Click here for details on how to order your copy

It’s time we give our town the LOVE it deserves.

by broomhillpooltrust

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.

For the love of jumping off the top board

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/

Broomhill Pool Trust, 20 years.

by broomhillpooltrust

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.

The Trust

IPSWICH STAR REPORTS: Broomhill lido restoration gets more Ipswich council backing.

by broomhillpooltrust

“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/