UK’s oldest lido Cleveland Pools issues update on reopening plans

The Georgian pools were closed after flood damage just four months after a multi-million pound restoration

The charity working to reopen an historic lido in Bath that was forced to shut due to flood damage say they have “regained control” of the site following the collapse of its operator.

Cleveland Pools in Bathwick is owned by Bath and North East Somerset Council and held on a long-term lease by local heritage charity Cleveland Pools Trust.

The trust was formed in 2004 and has raised millions of pounds in the last two decades to restore and reopen the Georgian lido, which dates back to 1815 and was used for public swimming until 1984.

The site was later used as a trout farm before being saved from the threat of demolition in the early Noughties after a local campaign. The pools finally reopened in 2023, but closed again just four months later after flooding from the River Avon caused extensive damage.

At the time, the lido was sublet to a company called Fusion Lifestyle – a leisure operator with sites around the UK – but the company collapsed into administration in April this year causing a “complex legal situation” for the trust.

But the charity says it has now regained control of the site and is once again looking at ways to reopen the lido.

“Our focus is on the route to reopening the pools,” it said. “We’ve provided periodic updates on the Cleveland Pools website but we know that recently, we haven’t engaged enough in direct communication with the long list of supporters, volunteers, fundraisers and wider community who are interested in the site. We intend to provide more regular information going forward.”

The trust also announced plans to invite members of the public to meet the volunteers and trustees on a Cleveland Pools Open Day – part of Bath’s Heritage Open Days – in a bid to “kick start the conversation” on the future re-opening of the pool.

The event, on September 13, will take place between 10.30am and 4pm. People interested in attending are being asked to register their interest on the Cleveland Pools website.