Bathing pool debate cancelled after agreement

Demonstrators calling for the future of the Havre Des Pas bathing pool to be protected

A debate on the future of an outdoor bathing pool complex has been cancelled after a late agreement was reached.

The debate was due to discuss whether to allow the current tenant of the Havre Des Pas Lido, Lido Ltd, to remain on the site until a tender process had been completed.

The proposition was put forward by Deputy David Warr who reached a late deal with government ministers which means Lido Ltd has a guarantee it can remain on the site until the end of 2025.

Earlier on Wednesday dozens of people gathered in Jersey's Royal Square to lobby politicians ahead of the expected debate, and were addressed by the chief minister.

Jacqueline Jopson and Susan Rix holding placards in the Royal Square

Lido Ltd's lease was due to expire at the end of October and the government had said they would take over the vacant site until a tender process is completed.

Protestors said they feared for the future of the site if the government took it over.

Mike Graham from the Havre Des Pas steering group said: "We are going to end up with nothing, it will just disintegrate, they are just not interested."

Carole Penfold, the head of Jersey swimming club, said: "It's essential they stay where they are.

"They have done a great job over the last few years in very, very dire circumstances.

"It's very hard to run a business when you have a leaking roof that's not been repaired."

Carole Penfold said Lido Ltd have done a good job running the lido

Warr met with ministers after the protest and they reached an agreement.

He said: "We have a guarantee that there will be no effort to remove the tenant in 2025.

"The deal we've got is better than what my proposition asked for."

He added the demonstration "was very helpful in achieving that outcome".

Deputy David Warr withdrew his proposition after he reached an agreement with ministers on the future of Havre Des Pas Lido

The protestors also want the lido given back to the people, through a newly formed organisation called Love Our Lido.

It has been set up as a limited company and is waiting to be awarded charitable status.

The lido site is currently managed by Jersey Property Holdings - a government organisation.

Ms Penfold said Love Our Lido managing the site would save the government money: "They haven't got enough money anyway to look after all the properties they have and here is one property we could keep going for the future."

Marcus Calvani, the owner of Lido Ltd welcomed the idea: "We've agreed to let Love our Lido continue with our operations - my wife and I are burnt out with this.

"We've spent years and years fighting for it and we need some recovery time."

Warr said Love our Lido will now put a bid in place to take overall management of the bathing pool.

The Assistant Minister for Infrastracture, Constable Simon Crowcroft said: "Following productive discussions with Deputy David Warr, we have reached an agreement regarding the situation at the Lido.

"We can confirm that the current occupier will be able to remain on site until the end of 2025."

He went on to say: "The occupier will be required to sign a formal contract and cover rent and a portion of utility bills from the end of October.

"A tender process for the future operation of the Lido will proceed as planned."