Lido users 'devastated' at temporary closure idea

Peterborough City Council says it may have to mothball the lido to save money

Swimmers who use a city centre lido say they are shocked and devastated at proposals to mothball the facility.

Peterborough City Council says the outdoor pool, which closes during winter, costs £400,000 a year to run.

It has proposed temporarily closing the lido while it looks for external funding and develops a "new vision" for the facility.

Dennis Jones, Labour council leader, said mothballing the lido was "something we truly, truly want to avoid".

He said: "What we have to do is explore all options."

The council is facing a budget gap of more than £20m next year to pay for services such as homeless and temporary accommodation, adult social services and health and children's services.

In its budget proposals report, the council said it was a "constant challenge" to deliver these within budget.

It has proposed mothballing the lido while officers "work to develop a new vision for the facility" and seek external investment.

The lido costs £400,000 a year to run, taking into account visitor fees, despite a "relatively limited season", the council said.

Clare Marshall said the lido helped to bring people in Peterborough together

Clare Marshall, vice-chair of Friends of Peterborough Lido, said group members were "devastated" to hear of the proposal.

"Of course, people are very upset, very angry, but it is a proposal and not a done deal," she said.

Ms Marshall, who has been swimming at the lido for more than 50 years, said the lido was a "national treasure" that attracted people to the city.

The lido is currently the city's only public pool.

The Regional Pool in Bishop's Road is due to be demolished after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found last year.

"With no swimming pool in Peterborough, we're creating a generation of young people who won't learn to swim," said Ms Marshall.

Susan Broccoli, founder of the community group We Love Peterborough, said she was shocked by the proposals.

"It's madness to take it away," she said.

"It does send a few red flags to me if they [the council] are saying they're going to close it to do something special.

"That ain't going to open again."

The proposals will be subject to a public consultation between 17 December and 14 January before they are voted on by the council cabinet.