Broomhill Pool Trust over the moon as Grade-II listed lido in Ipswich to be restored to former glory

After two decades of work, campaigners wishing to see a former public pool returned to its former glory may finally be able to come up for air.

Last week, it was revealed that Broomhill Lido in Ipswich would be given £10m in funding for restoration work – and could reopen to the public by 2026.

A deal was struck between Ipswich Borough Council, the National Lottery Fund, and Fusion Lifestyle to renovate the building.

The Grade II listed lido, which dates back to the 1930s, closed in 2002, and one year later, a group of people got together to campaign for its reopening.

Mark Ling, the chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust, described the building as ‘one of Britain’s finest lidos’.

He said: “Ask anyone over 25, and there’s a good chance they have fond memories of Broomhill. It is absolutely unique.”

Mr Ling said the announcement that Broomhill was to be granted funding was a wonderful way to start the year – and lifted the spirits for many in Ipswich.

"The Broomhill Pool Trust has worked to keep the campaign fresh, relevant, publicly engaged and backed for over 20 years,” he said.

“Broomhill Pool enjoys cross-party political and 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.”

Despite concerns being raised on social media about Fusion Lifestyle, Mr Ling remained confident the firm was the right one for the job – and stated it had an unrivalled prowess and expertise in the industry.

It maintains a portfolio of more than 140 leisure centres and pools across the UK.

Broomhill Lido was built in 1938 and was listed in 2003.

Back in 2022, Ipswich Borough Council, supported by Ipswich MPs, put a bid to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for funding to renovate the building.

However, its future was thrown into doubt after this ‘levelling up’ bid was rejected.

Due to it being listed, the restoration work by Fusion Lifestyle will need to keep the building’s art deco style intact.

Little will be changed with the restoration – although the men’s changing rooms will undergo a modernisation, Mr Ling said.

Fusion Lifestyle has a 50-year lease for the site.

At 55 yards long and 15ft deep, it was among Britain’s largest open-air pools.

Mr Ling said he grew up opposite Broomhill, and had loved it since he was a child.

Broomhill trustees have lobbied Ipswich Borough Council to reopen the lido since 2003.

In 2006, the trust supervised a £67,000 feasibility study, and in 2011, Fusion Lifestyle was selected to lead the project, and secured £1m in funding.

In 2019, a further £7m was secured.

Mr Ling added: “We’re aware after previous complications that anything can happen in two years, but we hope Broomhill can welcome swimmers again by 2026.

“We want to ensure the community’s voices are heard, so we’re keen to hold the pool’s stakeholders’ feet to the fire, but we’re also eager to see it up and running as soon as possible.

“Such services can be great for both physical and mental wellbeing, hope it will be on par with other leisure centres in Ipswich, such as Crown Pools.

“This funding comes as a real breakthrough – and without money things cannot progress.”