Leading experts who specialise in restoring delipidated historic pools believe a restored Lido on Grange Promenade has a bright future.
On Monday the pool was surveyed by Glyn Lucas from DG Pool & Leisure Ltd who specialise in pool plant and have worked on large number of pools across the UK including the recent new system at Portishead Open Air Pool.
Clive Moreton from Wrightfield Pools who restore pool basins all over the world and recently restored the basin at the hugely popular Lido Ponty in Wales.
Chris Romer-Lee from Architects Studio Octopi who are currently working on two other Lido projects in the UK including the project to dig out Peckham Lido which was filled in in 1987.
He said: “It’s stunning. It really took my breath away. It’s in a sorry state but not an irreparable state.”
The visit was arranged by the campaign group Save Grange Lido who recently presented a comprehensive business plan to South Lakeland District Council with the aim of restoring the pool as an attraction for the community and a draw for tourists.
Addressing the issue of financial sustainability, Mr Romer-Lee said: “What really caught my eye about the Save Grange Lido group was their rigour in embracing the fact that on that site you have the enough buildings for a range of uses which will support the swimming pool. Swimming alone is not enough but when you put it with a café, restaurant, community facilities and a spa etc then you have a sustainable business model.”
Phil Bradby, Chair of Save Grange Lido, said: “Thank you to SLDC for allowing our experts access to the site so we can work out exact costing for restoring this iconic pool.
“The Council want to restore the buildings and structure, but their plans involve infilling the pool. We fully support the building restoration and our aim is to work closely with the Council to add the pool to the project. Alongside SLDC’s plans, Save Grange Lido will raise funds to repair the pool basin and plant to put a working pool back at the Lido’s heart. We have been given a budget price for the pool’s restoration and believe raising these funds is entirely achievable.”
Save Grange Lido’s petition to bring back the pool now has over 16,000 names in total.
