'Scarborough without a sea pool is fish without chips'

Scarborough campaigners are hoping to build a tidal pool by the coast

A campaign to reinstate an outdoor tidal swimming pool in Scarborough is growing with one of its campaigners saying its absence was "like fish without chips".

Earlier this year, North Yorkshire Council backed plans to build a three-sided seawater pool at the top of South Bay.

Further development now rests with Scarborough Sea Swimming Community Interest Company (CIC) - a group formed by sea swimmers and residents keen to open what it hoped would be a community asset.

Karen Chiverall, one of the organisers, said the ambition was to help "everyone to enjoy the benefits of sea swimming – and safely."

"I think a sea swimming pool would make a difference," she said.

"It would help us when the tide is really rough so it would extend the season.

"We won't be at risk of any riptides or general rough sea conditions and we'd be able to swim all year round and that's the biggest benefit."

'Popular pastime'

Ms Chiverall said the initial idea came out of conversations with other sea swimmers who were keen for Scarborough to have a tidal pool again.

The town's previous facility, also located at South Bay, opened in 1915 and was hugely popular but closed in 1989 after running into financial difficulties.

After contacting local councillors, Ms Chiverall and others set up a community engagement session last March to see if the appetite for a pool extended beyond initial interest.

Councillor Rich Maw was one of the executive members involved in the early stages of the campaign and said sea swimming in Scarborough was "already hugely popular and growing".

A poster produced between 1923 -1947 for LNER, depicting Scarborough South Bay pool

He said: "This isn't just about building a pool - it's about opening up access, boosting tourism and improving local quality of life."

He added that with strong community backing and expert input it was his belief the project "can and should happen".

The council commissioned a feasibility study which pinpointed the proposed site at Children's Corner, at the top of South Bay.

The plan also included a sheltered beach, changing area and bathing area for children.

Ms Chiverall said: "We envisage it will be free to use for anybody who wants to sea swim, whether you've done it before or just want to dip your toe in the water for the first time."

She said there were many benefits to sea swimming and added: "Lots of the sea swimmers that I know and swim with, swim as friendship groups.

"Generally everyone I know who swims in the sea is very happy, relaxed and has a very healthy outlook on life."

Five year dream

Karen Chiverall and Cathy Foreman are part of the group campaigning for the tidal pool

Scarborough Sea Swimming CIC is now looking ahead at the next stages of development describing the support received so far as "phenomenal".

It was recently awarded council funding to help run further community engagement sessions.

However, Ms Chiverall said the group was realistic about the timescales of the project acknowledging that funding - through public donations and grants from local authorities and other organisations - would be challenging.

"It might not happen for ten years or so, we know that. Although five years would be the dream," she added.

"We just think Scarborough without a sea pool is like fish without chips".

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