'Iconic' lido reopens after £5m refurbishment

Northcroft Lido has partially reopened for this year's season

An outdoor swimming pool has reopened for its first full season after a £5m refurbishment.

Northcroft Lido in Newbury reopened for lane swimming on Thursday 28 March, and will reopen in full when the weather improves, West Berkshire Council said.

The 150-year-old facility underwent a refurbishment, beginning in summer 2022, which made the pool shallower and smaller and saw the addition of a new interactive splash pad, slides, a decking area, and beach huts.

Janine Lewis, the council's executive member for public health, culture, leisure, sport & countryside, said it was "very exciting" that the "iconic" Lido was opening for its first full season.

Northcroft Lido was first built as an unheated pool in 1870, extended in 1914, and completely rebuilt in 1937, at which point it was believed to be the largest outdoor pool in the south of England.

Dates are yet to be confirmed for the full reopening.

The council said the refurbishment work also included the installation of a hoist and the addition of an accessible changing room.

Richard May from Everyone Active, which runs the facility in partnership with the council, said he was "absolutely delighted" the facility was beginning its phased reopening.

"It has been more than seven months since we unveiled the revamped facility and after a successful season in 2023, we are confident that this year will be just as brilliant - or even better," he said.

Ms Lewis said: "It's a truly iconic facility that is embedded in the history of Newbury and it has been wonderful to not only bring it to the present, but to ensure that it is there for the future and for generations of people to enjoy."