Volunteers prove threatened lido could pay its way

The community group held a sold-out full moon swim event this week

Volunteers campaigning to have a Grade II-listed lido removed from a council's "at risk" list have said the facility could break even financially.

Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group (IPLCG) formed after Bradford Council announced it was reviewing all of its leisure centres and needed to save £1.25m from its budget.

The council said the 1930s indoor and outdoor pool complex was running at an annual loss of £280,000 and could be considered for closure.

IPLCG members have come up with a plan to make cost savings by reducing energy bills, increasing ticket prices and running more swim sessions.

IPLCG suggests changes to ticket pricing and the cafe

The group, which said it would consider managing the site itself on a lease from the council, proposed introducing car parking charges for non-pool users, improving the cafe and holding more events.

A "full moon swim" held earlier this week was a sell-out.

IPLCG said all of its ideas could be implemented immediately, and it had shown it could increase the lido's net income by £323,000 compared to 2023 revenues.

All swimming pools in the Bradford district are being assessed to determine whether they could remain open, close or be managed through a hybrid model of "collaboration". The council has been contacted for comment.

Becky Malby, chair of IPLCG, said: "Our conservative calculations demonstrate that the potential from very marginal changes at Ilkley Pool and Lido show that the facility is not only viable this year, but it is sustainable in the longer term.

Illuminated inflatables were added to the pool during this week's evening swim

"Bradford Council needs to take advice from other pools and lidos, and work closely with the community to develop an operating model that secures usage and income for the longer term.

"There is now no reason for Bradford Council in its review of leisure services to include the closure of Ilkley Pool and Lido."

IPLCG is holding a public meeting to discuss its plans for the lido at 18:00 BST on 19 September at Ilkley Grammar School.

The pool, lido, cafe and changing rooms are listed by Historic England.

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