Brighton's Saltdean Lido to be restored by Conran group

Brighton's dilapidated Saltdean Lido is to be restored by Sir Terence Conran's design firm.

The 1930s art deco structure is the UK's only Grade II*-listed lido and one of just three remaining seaside sites.

The Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company was given a 60-year lease to operate the pool after plans to partly demolish it were rejected.

Sir Terence said he was looking forward to "breathing new life" into the lido and restoring it to its former glory.

His company, Conran and Partners, was appointed after winning a competitive tender in which a number of companies submitted proposals.

The firm has been working on the campaign to save the lido since 2010, drawing up ideas, creating plans and attending meetings with the council.

Fund-raising drive

"It is great news that all of the hard work has paid off," Sir Terence said.

The designer founded the Conran Design Studio in 1956 and later the Habitat chain of home furnishings stores.

He left Habitat and in the 1990s built up another group of companies in design, retailing, restaurants and hotels.

The Grade II*-listed lido in Saltdean is on English Heritage's At Risk register

Sir Terence also founded the Design Museum in London in 1989.

An estimated £5m is needed for the lido's refurbishment, with a major fund-raising drive under way.

Earlier this month it received its first pot of money towards the project.

The Social Investment Business said it would give just over £60,000 to help restore the art deco building, which is on English Heritage's At Risk register.

The Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company hopes to reopen the lido in 2016.