Ipswich work to restore historic grade II-listed Broomhill Lido could begin in October as final designs unveiled
Work to restore a historic Ipswich lido which has lain derelict for two decades could begin as early as October, a developer has revealed.
Mark Rogers, communities and partnerships director at Fusion Lifestyle, which is overseeing the restoration of the grade II listed Broomhill Lido, said his team looked forward to returning it to its former glory.
Final designs for the £10 million scheme were shown to the public at a fete at Broomhill Library last Saturday, with locals asked to give their opinion on what could be its final look.
Mr Rogers said the event was a really positive experience.
The project had been in limbo since 2019 before a funding deal between Ipswich Borough Council, Fusion Lifestyle and the National Lottery Heritage Fund was struck earlier this year.
Mr Rogers said: “The building has been derelict for some time. It’s not easy on the eyes.
“Thankfully, the public seemed to be very pleased to see its new look and to gain an understanding of the timeframe we want to work with and what new facilities the refurb will bring.”
Mark Ling, chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust, expressed his excitement that more than two decades of work by its team may soon pay off.
He said: “We want to make sure the pool is a success and that it slots back into its local environment and that it is more of a benefit than a hindrance.
“There will be challenges ahead, but we’re in it for the long haul and we want to ensure the public’s desires are stressed.”
Potential project timeline
Plans for Broomhill Lido’s refurbishment were submitted in February, which Mr Rogers hoped could gain approval later this month.
Should this be the case, Fusion could have tools in the ground by October, Mr Rogers said. He hoped work would finish late next year – offering swimmers the chance to dive in by spring 2026.
Mr Ling said assets like Broomhill were more vital than ever.
“It will double Ipswich’s swimming capacity,” he said. “About 30 pools in the Ipswich area have shut in the last 30 years.
“But it also serves as a wellbeing hub for social, mental and physical health.”
What’s new?
When it reopens to the public, Broomhill Lido will feature a new gym, aerobics room and cycling studio, created from the old men’s changing rooms.
There will also be new dry-side changing rooms and accessible changing areas.
Both pools will be heated during spring and summer months but could remain cold during the autumn and winter to cater for more serious swimmers.
The training pool will operate on different heating to make it more accessible for youngsters and school lessons.
In addition, a heritage suite will allow visitors to understand the history of the site as well as the journey to bring it back into use.
However, its iconic art deco style will remain intact.
Mr Rogers said: “We wanted it for more than just summer use, so we can prevent it from being put in the situation it was before, where it was no longer financially viable.
“We want to offer the facilities to as many groups of people as we can, while also providing good opportunities for local people in terms of jobs.
“In doing so, I hope we’ll create a venue that is much loved by the community.”
Key challenges
Restoration work was originally scheduled to take place in 2019 to the tune of £7.25 million.
Issues with inflation, Brexit, Covid, the war in Ukraine and other delays have led to costs continuing to rise, Mr Rogers said, with the team having to work out ways to plug the funding gap.
A bid to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for funding was submitted in 2022. However, its future was thrown into doubt when this was rejected.
Mr Rogers said the initial challenges for the project when Fusion was first brought on in 2011 were around funding, which it was able to overcome.
The project is very complex and requires a specialist programme to be in place, he said.
Slight amendments were made to the plans submitted in February to ensure the project came in at budget.
“Another key challenge is how long the project is taking,” Mr Roger revealed.
“The building’s continued deterioration poses more challenges for contractors.”
Money
Mr Rogers said that, for every £1 spent on the project, Fusion was looking for £4 to be returned on ‘local value’.
This could be anything that benefits the community, such as an increase in fitness and health, a reduction in crime, and more.
“The cost benefits of having an active, well-used leisure facility, are well known,” he said.
History
Broomhill Lido first opened to the public in 1938 and shut in 2002.
Shortly after its closure, a group of volunteers came together with a mission to see it enjoyed by the public once again. It became a registered charity in 2003.
Looking to the future
Mr Rogers said contractors for the job were still pending and a works programme needed to be completed.
Fusion Lifestyle will continue to consult the community in the coming months, he said.
This would be to ensure the project is suitable for the ‘right groups, right people’ and to make sure everyone can enjoy it in the way they want to.
Mr Ling added: “We’re eager to see it get under way. I like to call it ‘Ipswich’s happy place’ and it would be a great hub for the town to have.
“We can’t pop any Champagne corks until the lido is open.
“However, Broomhill Pool Trust is super grateful to all the stakeholders, Ipswich Borough Council, Fusion Lifestyle and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, who have all overcome terrific challenges.”
