The Trust

The Broomhill Pool Trust is a registered charity (No.1102659).

Established in 2003, the Trust’s objective is to seek and offer solutions to restore the Grade II listed, Broomhill Pool in Ipswich – one of Britain’s finest lidos.

The Trust’s activities are to lobby, explore, and liaise with Ipswich Borough Council and all interested parties to preserve Broomhill Pool.

We are a small team of committed volunteers and experts who have worked tirelessly to ensure that this wonderful pool is saved for future generations:

Since 2003 the Trust has worked in co-operation and partnership with three administrations at the Borough (changes in 2004 & 2011), positively lobbying each to win their attention and on-going commitment.

In 2006 the Trust supervised a £67,000 feasibility study which became central to the pool’s revival.

The Trust led a HLF funding bid in 2008 which although rejected provided valuable lessons.  Taking on board HLF findings and advice, the Trust resolved to come back with a stronger bid.

In 2009 the Trust worked hand in hand with the Ipswich Borough on an all options appraisal.

In 2010 & 2011, the Trust lobbied two administrations resulting in an agreement from Ipswich Borough to commit £1m to the project.  Following this commitment the Borough sought expressions of interest for an operator to invest and lead the project.

In 2011, our preferred operator, Fusion Lifestyle (whom we had lobbied for the best part of a decade) entered into an agreement with the Borough to lead the project and guarantee a further £1m investment.

In 2013, a turning point for the campaign, the HLF announced a new “Heritage Enterprise Fund”, a fund for which Broomhill Pool was a perfect fit!  

In 2014, Fusion Lifestyle took the bold decision to proceed with a formal public consultation, submitting an ambitious vision and outstanding bid to the HLF in June 2015.

In October 2015, “The HLF awarded Fusion Lifestyle £180,000 in development funding with a view to granting a full £3.4 million at a later stage to fund the restoration of the site”.  

In December 2018 the stage 2 HLF bid was approved for the full £3.4m.

In 2019 a total £7m of funding was guaranteed (IBC £1.5m, HLF £3.4m, Fusion £2.1m.) 

Pre-qualification and the selection of a contractor was set for early 2020. The pool was set to be restored in 2020 and reopened in 2021.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the leisure sector. During lock-down, Fusion Lifestyle was forced to close all of its 200+ nationwide pools, gyms and sport centres, plus furlough some 3000 staff. 

In 2023, a new £10.35m funding deal was agreed (IBC £3.3m, NHLF £6.8m, Fusion £0.25m).

However by July 2025, Fusion Lifetsyle had not been able to demonstrate financial certainty and NLHF withdrew their £6.8m grant.  

BROOMHILL POOL STATUS AS OF AUGUST 2026:

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.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT:

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.