Popular English seaside town reveals plans for huge £4.5million makeover
A SEAFRONT attraction has taken a major step closer to being restored to its former glory.
The seaside town of Worthing is looking to save its lido – but it could come at a cost of £4.5million.
Worthing Lido sits right on the front of the town’s beach minutes from its popular art deco pier.
It was once a popular seawater swimming pool between 1957 and 1988.
And it might be making a comeback as the local council has said it will commit £1.29million towards the first step of its redevelopment.
Councillor Sophie Cox, leader of the council, said: “The community has made it clear how much the lido means to them and that they want us to invest in it for the decades to come.
“We’re determined to make that a reality.
“Using more than £1m from the Community Infrastructure Levy shows our commitment to turning plans into action, but we know that more is needed to cover even the least expensive substructure solution.”
The funding marks the first time ever that a cash sum has been set aside for the former lido.
While the £1.29million will cover initial works, there are predictions that the work will cost at least £4.5 million.
The lido on Worthing Beach was originally built as a bandstand in 1925 and was used as a performing space for 30 years.
In 1957, the space was converted into an unheated swimming pool.
It was a popular spot for swimmers up through into the 1980s.
In 1988, Worthing Lido was even used as a temporary home to dolphins from Brighton Sealife Centre.
The dolphins were relocated to the lido while their permanent enclosure at the Sealife Centre was undergoing renovations.
In 1989 the pool was covered over and the site transformed into an entertainment centre.
It’s now home to a cafe, arcade, and is occasionally used as an event space.
For more on lidos, here are all of the new ones set to open across the UK from seafront pools to city swimming spots.
And here’s one English seaside town’s beachfront lido which will reopen this summer despite fears of closure.