Restoration of Ipswich's Broomhill lido back on track

Plans to restore and reopen Broomhill lido, put on hold due to the pandemic, have been revived

A planning application for the restoration of "one of Britain's finest lidos" has been resubmitted.

The Grade II-listed Broomhill Pool in Ipswich closed in 2002. Plans to renovate it have repeatedly stalled due to lack of funding.

In January, Ipswich Borough Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Fusion Lifestyle agreed a deal to save the 1938-built lido.

The council approved an initial planning application in 2017.

The diving boards at Broomhill, pictured in 1989, were a big draw for visitors

Campaign group the Broomhill Pool Trust has lobbied for the lido's reopening for years

The £7.25m restoration scheme was due to start in 2020, but was paused due to the pandemic.

Plans for the site, which is owned by the council, include a gym and studio, as well as renovation of the baby pool, as first reported by the Ipswich Star.

• Funding secured for swimming pool restoration

• Charity makes 'last chance' plea to save lido

• Work on lido in doubt due to Covid

Once complete, the pool will be run by sports and leisure management organisation Fusion Lifestyle and is expected to open to swimmers in the summer of 2026.

Previously, John Cook, a Labour member of Ipswich Borough Council responsible for communities and sport, said the new project would restore the lido to "its former glory".

The Broomhill Pool Trust, a charity which has campaigned for the lido's restoration for more than 20 years, described the funding deal as "news to lift the spirits of the whole town".