reopening

AFTER its closure in 2022, Doncaster-Sheffield Airport is set to reopen to passengers in two years’ time at the cost of £193million.

So what’s in store for passengers when the beloved airport returns?

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Sun Travel spoke to Christian Foster, Director of FlyDoncaster – the company in charge of the reopening of the airport.

He shared his thoughts on new routes for holidaymakers, rail links and what visitors can expect from the shops and restaurants inside the airport.

The regional airport in the north of England provided a gateway to Europe for those living in and around Doncaster up until four years ago, after it was deemed ‘not financially viable’, and closed.

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However, in an extremely rare case, the airport is scheduled to reopen as soon as next year – with passenger planes set to start in 2028.

The countdown is officially on and work is underway to complete the mammoth task of updating and reopening the hub.

Christian Foster, Director of FlyDoncaster – the company set up to manage the airport – told us: “It would be nice if we could immediately open with the flick of a switch, but it’s not that simple.

“There were around 2,700 people working around the site when it was last open, and we need to recruit again.

“Right now, we’ve been appointing key roles in the leadership team, and we’re also in a number of commercial negotiations with different airlines.”

Previously, Doncaster Sheffield Airport was home to airlines like TUI and Wizz Air – but none have been confirmed to the hub yet.

When it comes to opening up to passengers, Christian says there’s high-ambition for the airport.

He said: “It does feel like the world has changed post-Covid, whereas people were focused two weeks in Spain or Greece, nowadays we’re seeing a lot of people keen to take city breaks.”

He continued: “We’d love to fly to places like Croatia, and other destinations that are a bit more quirky like Azerbaijan.”

The airport has one of the longest runways in Europe at 2,893 meters meaning it could also potentially take bigger jets for long-haul routes.

Christian said: “We’re keen to look at emerging places to visit as well, like India.

“And Pakistan is one of our largest ethnic populations in the UK, so could we ensure greater connections there?

“But of course, we won’t forget about the bucket and spade holidays either.”

There aren’t just big plans for the planes either – plenty of thought is being put into the experience between check in and boarding gate.

Christian revealed that they are keen to give the airport a sense of the region by having independent vendors on-site.

He told us: “When people go through a terminal, they tend to look for Costa Coffee, Starbucks or World Duty Free.

“What we’ve created is a corridor for the local supply chain – whether that’s actually fixed base or pop-up market stores is yet to be decided.

“But the idea is that individuals will get a sense of some of the great produce to show off the region, for example, rhubarb from Wakefield, then butterscotch from Doncaster.

“We want to have food and beverage outlets, where you can have, not only the national or international feel, but a local one too.”

With the airport being closed to travellers, it gives a chance for it to be redesigned and Christian confirms that there will be a change in its layout.

One alteration is to the layout of security lanes and system which were “not located in the best place”.

These will be moved to make the passenger experience “slicker” and “swifter”.

There are special arrangements being made for those with disabilities too and Christian said that the team is determined to make the airport one of the “UK’s most-friendly” for everyone.

Since its closure four years ago, airports have had a change in rules as well as technology, for example, the scrapping of 100ml liquids.

So will Doncaster Sheffield Airport be keeping up with the others?

Christian said: “The easy answer to that one, is yes.

“We recognise that the world has moved on since 2022, and we are investing in brand-new technology.”

Previously, the best way to get to the airport was by car as the parking was right outside and families could walk straight through.

This layout is set to be retained for ease – but there could also be new rail links giving travellers from further afield the chance to hop on a train to the airport.

Christian said: “There’s a railway that runs to the north of the site, but we’re also keen to look at connections on the East Coast Mainline.

“It comes through Doncaster already and is in close proximity to the site, so for the airport, it would be a game-changer.”

Around the airport, developments are happening too – in one case a five-star hotel is being built on the outskirts.

Christian described the Bawtry Park Hotel in nearby Austerfield as a “Dubai-style” resort with a golf course and spa.

The reopening of the airport has been met with positivity by many in the local area who, since its closure, have had to travel to the likes of Manchester and Leeds Bradford.

Christian explained: “130,000 people signed a petition to retain the airport which is rare because most people go the other way.

“But for locals, once they land, they can be in, out and home in 15-20 minutes, it’s a complete game changer, isn’t it?”

When US Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Venezuela in February, he left Miraflores with an ambitious message. After meeting Delcy Rodríguez in Miraflores, he told reporters: “This year, we can drive a dramatic increase in Venezuelan oil production, in Venezuelan natural gas production and Venezuelan electricity production.”

Three months later, large parts of the country are enduring heavy electricity rationing, with daily cuts lasting between five and eight hours. Even after the government imposed a 45-day electricity-saving plan in late March to cope with high temperatures and surging demand, the situation continues to deteriorate. As the system faces renewed strain, the US Embassy in Caracas publicized a meeting with Ronald Alcalá, Delcy’s new electric energy minister, where US Chief of Mission John Barrett said Washington will “work with the interim authorities to rebuild the power grid.”

“The three-phase plan of President Trump and Secretary Rubio focuses on restoring reliable energy supply through experience, investment, and collaboration with the US,” Barrett’s brief statement read.

Caracas has resorted to nationwide measures like banning cryptocurrency mining, as power consumption recently reached its highest levels in nearly a decade. El Pitazo reported that current nationwide rationing has exceeded those seen in 2012 across much of the country, with Caracas remaining the main exception.

The latest chapter of this long-running crisis arrives at a sensitive moment for the post-Maduro regime. As has been widely reported, Rodríguez is trying to boost some parts of the economy and attract foreign investment into oil, gas and mining. But the country’s electrical system—weakened by decades of underinvestment, mismanagement and institutional collapse—has re-emerged as an obstacle.

For Luisa Palacios, a Venezuelan professor and energy executive that served as CITGO’s chairwoman, the current blackout cycle reveals something deeper than previous ones.

“This new episode should serve as a wake-up call about the urgency of restructuring the country’s electrical system,” she says. “We are witnessing a stress test of the system even under a modest recovery in demand.

One huge challenge is to bring back investment and expertise required, Palacios wrote in February along with Francisco Morandi, an AES Corporation executive who did strategic planning for Electricidad de Caracas. However, some major companies are hesitating to join after meetings with officials last month, Reuters reported. One executive shared his view: “I returned very skeptical from Venezuela (…) The power plants have not been properly repaired in 10 years, so the needs are almost infinite. But they still have no clue on how we would get paid.”

“The electricity sector is a highly capital-intensive sector that requires large investments to be made before a single cent of profit is seen,” Palacios told Caracas Chronicles. “That is why counterparty risk is fundamental in the electricity sector: ensuring that the user pays you, and on time, is essential.”

The most immediate problem is straightforward. Except for Haiti, Venezuela is the only country in the region where power consumption has actually declined over the past decade, according to OLADE, with per capita consumption falling by roughly 30% since 2014. Nevertheless, the country still does not generate enough electricity to meet demand.

Palacios was firm in the idea that it is necessary to move beyond the State’s central role in power generation, which can’t afford the necessary investments, and that the time to do so is now. 

“Without increasing power generation offered significantly by the private sector and improving transmission and distribution, the country won’t recover from the structural electric crisis that today remains the main bottleneck in terms of infrastructure”.

One of the central proposals advanced by Palacios and other energy experts is to restore thermal generation using Venezuela’s own natural gas resources. Large volumes of gas currently burned or flared during oil production could instead feed thermal plants and combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facilities, systems that generate electricity more efficiently by combining gas and steam turbines. Such a shift would not only reduce pressure on the hydroelectric system but also lower emissions associated with gas flaring.

“This could be the single biggest climate action Venezuela could take in the short term,” Palacios argues. 

Other proposals involve allowing independent power producers to generate electricity for specific industrial regions and oil hubs, reducing pressure on the fragile national grid. She has also suggested the creation of autonomous microgrids operating in “island mode” (localized systems capable of functioning independently when the national grid fails) to provide more reliable service to critical industrial, commercial, and residential areas. Battery storage systems could also help stabilize electricity supply.

Renewable energy is also part of the conversation. Venezuela relies on largely clean, hydroelectric energy, but Palacios sees potential for solar, wind and biofuel projects. Other oil-producing neighbors like Brazil, Colombia and Argentina serve as prime examples in that sense.

The challenge is not just technical. Broadly speaking, there is agreement among specialists about what Venezuela’s electrical system needs, and what requires fixing: new thermal generation, modernization of transmission infrastructure, decentralized generation capacity, tariff reform, and a new regulatory framework capable of attracting investment. The financing problem is huge: rebuilding Venezuela’s grid would require enormous amounts of long-term capital. Gelvis Sequera, who chairs the domestic Association of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, places the required investment at around $20 billion.

“The electricity sector is a highly capital-intensive sector that requires large investments to be made before a single cent of profit is seen,” Palacios told Caracas Chronicles. “That is why counterparty risk is fundamental in the electricity sector: ensuring that the user pays you, and on time, is essential.”

But many investors remain cautious. According to Reuters, several companies that recently held meetings with Venezuelan officials left unconvinced about the prospects of doing business. One executive summarized the dilemma bluntly: “The power plants have not been properly repaired in 10 years, so the needs are almost infinite. But they still have no clue how we would get paid.”

The vicious cycle of regional power cuts affecting refineries and fuel production, and therefore also undermining the power sector, needs a major overhaul to finally be brought to an end.

When considering whether to deploy capital in Venezuela, investors are less confused about the needs and more about the ifs. They are uncertain about whether the Venezuelan State can offer credible guarantees, stable regulation, enforceable contracts, and reliable payment mechanisms over the long term.

As Palacios put it: “Power infrastructure is a low-margin business, established for the long term and highly dependent on regulatory and macroeconomic risks.” For that reason, she argues that regulatory clarity, transparent tariffs, and technically competent institutions are indispensable if Venezuela hopes to attract serious capital into the sector.

This also raises uncomfortable political questions about the future role of CORPOELEC, the omnipotent overseer of Venezuelan electricity. Founded by Hugo Chávez in 2007, the public company serves as the power grid’s service provider, operator and developer.

“Venezuela needs to seriously rethink the role of CORPOELEC and the State in providing such a fundamental service,” Palacios says. “It is not possible to solve this crisis with the current management structure.” At the moment, however, there are few signs that such reforms are imminent.

“To build and rebuild a reliable system will depend on having the right actors on the table”, she continues, pointing out that multilateral organizations can provide technical capacity and long-term financing that can “de-risk investment”, giving some assurances to the private sector.

“There’s a lot of Venezuelan entrepreneurship more than willing to invest in a system with clear rules based on international standards”.For now, as hopes of an economic recovery reach their highest levels since the Chávez era, Venezuelans long accustomed to blackouts are desperate to avoid a repeat of the worst 2019-esque scenarios. The contradiction is also acute for Delcy Rodríguez, whose critical infrastructure problem is one of the most immediate constraints on the reopening she is attempting. The vicious cycle of regional power cuts affecting refineries and fuel production, and therefore also undermining the power sector, needs a major overhaul to finally be brought to an end.

A BEACHFRONT lido in a pretty seaside town is set to reopen this month.

Brightlinsea in Essex is one of the last remaining lidos in the county, dating back to the 1930s.

Along with a 50m outdoor pool, there is also a smaller toddler pool as well as sunloungers, changing rooms and a cafe.

Set to open from May 23, sessions will run from 7am until 5pm, with the first three hours for relaxed lane swimming sessions.

Other sessions include aquacise and ‘little dipper’ ones for younger swimmers.

Having first opened in 1932 as a tidal salt pool, it is now a freshwater pool.

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It nearly closed in 2017, only to remain open thanks to a group of volunteers who still run it now.

One previous visitor wrote: “The atmosphere at the Lido has to be mentioned it felt like you were on holiday, everyone chatting and smiling.”

During the summertime, Brightlingsea is much quieter than its neighbours such as Clacton.

However, it’s shingle beach is recognisable thanks to its line of colourful beach huts on the promenade.

One said: “Very unspoilt, family oriented, beautiful beach. Traditional town back in the 50’s.”

Brightlingsea is on the Sunshine Coast, which one mum said is like “going back in time to seaside holidays of the past.”

Mum Catherine Lofthouse told The Sun: “Because I was on the Sunshine Coast of Essex, which is often compared to Spain thanks to it being one of the sunniest, driest spots in the country.

“What I really loved about exploring the Essex seaside is the sheer variety of experiences on one relatively small stretch of coast, bookended by Brightlingsea in the south and Harwich in the north.”

A MUCH-LOVED lido nestled in the UK countryside is reopening this weekend. 

The Art Deco attraction, which features a “lagoon” pool and slides, first opened in 1935 as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations for King George V.

At the height of summer, Ilkley Lido, which was threatened with closure in 2024, attracts up to 5,000 people a day and is now Grade II listed.

Inside is a large swimming pool, with a shallow end for kids as well as a slide. It is surrounded by a grassy area and has views across Ilkley Moor.

An Art Deco cafe remains unchanged at the site, which also includes changing rooms, tennis courts and a picnic area.

It will reopen on Saturday, May 9, from 10am to 4pm. 

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From Monday to Friday it will be open from 7.30am to 8.30am and 2pm to 6pm, and open from 10am to 2pm every Sunday.

A full summer programme, with extended opening times, will come into effect on May 23.

Adult tickets cost £7.25 and £3.75 for children.

The lido has hosted the Ilkley Triathlon since the early 1990s – one of the longest running sprint events in the country.

There are, however, no plans as yet for open air events at the attraction this year.

As previously reported, the Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group said the attraction runs at a £280,000 loss every year.

A POPULAR English lido is re-opening just in time for summer – and it’s had a total makeover.

The outdoor splash park featuring fun elephant slides and a lazy river will welcome back families later this month, following a refresh.

An opening date for The Strand Lido and Leisure Park in Gillingham has been confirmed.

The refurbished Kent lido, which has the UK’s only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool, will begin bringing the summer fun from Saturday May 23.

It will first be open for weekends, before offering its facilities seven days a week in the school summer holidays.

Two pool sessions are set to run every day the lido is open. The first from 10.30am to 1.30pm and the second from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.

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Entry to sessions must be booked online. While children under three go free, adult tickets are £8.15, with junior and senior tickets priced at £5.35.

The spruced up lido was revived last year, funded by contributions from housing developments to Medway Council.

The Strand, which first opened in 1896, now features a new splash pad for children aged three to 11.

There’s also a beach-themed play area with 30 sensor-activated water jets alongside the large outdoor pool, elephant-shaped water slides and a 300 metre lazy river.

Those who love a long swim can make use of the open-air pool’s six 25 metre lanes.

After a day of water play, families can relax with a refreshment at the Victorian lido’s cafe, enjoy a hit on the refurbished tennis courts or take on a round of mini golf.

There’s even a miniature train for little ones to ride.

A HISTORIC UK lido is reopening today after undergoing a major £7.6million revamp.

Swimmers in the seaside town will be able to take a dip in the outdoor pool for the first time in four years.

Closed since 2022, Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth, has been renovated for public use by local council, with funding from the government.

The refurbishment, which started in 2024, was prompted by health and safety risks of the 90-year-old structure.

The grand reopening will take place today (Saturday, May 2), with an ice cream parlour and food van now based on site.

Works also include the reinforcement of its base and walls, the replacement of old pool equipment, and the restoration of the original shallow lagoons.

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New showers and toilets, including a Changing Places toilet, and a sauna were added as part of the upgrades.

Formerly a saltwater pool, the 220-foot lido will now feature unheated chlorinated fresh water.

A long-term sustainable heating solution is part of future plans for the lido.

Hilsea Lido will be run by Sea Lanes Brighton, a group of local businesses and open-water swimming enthusiasts, alongside South Downs Leisure.

The multi-million pound development was further financed by a Levelling Up fund, meaning any outdated equipment and facilities have been replaced, such as the pool base and walls.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Judit Kollat, the lido’s general manager, told the BBC: “As Hilsea Lido celebrates its 90th birthday, we are proud to be leading the next chapter in its history.

“It is more than a pool, it’s a place with history and heart.

“We aim to create a vibrant hub for the local community, a centre for both mental and physical wellbeing. The lido will offer something for everyone.”

Harry Smith, director of Sea Lanes, the new operators of the lido, said: “We’re excited to open the doors, welcome everyone back, and start a brand‑new chapter for Hilsea Lido.”

Duncan Anderson, CEO of South Downs Leisure, which assisted the project, added: “It’s hugely exciting and a new chapter for the whole of the Portsmouth. 

“When you talk to people in the local area, they’ve all got memories of Hilsea Lido and I think they can’t wait to get back and splash in this pool again.”

The lido served as a training centre for the Team GB diving team ahead of the 1936 and 1952 Olympics, and it also featured as a filming location for The Who’s 1975 film Tommy.

AS the mercury finally hits 24C, the UK’s lidos are reopening for visitors.

Whether you want to soak up the sun by the side of the pool or have a refreshing dip, there are five lidos reopening across the UK this weekend.

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Hilsea Lido, Portsmouth

Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth has been closed since 2022 but will reopen after a £7.75million refurb on May 2.

The 67-metre lido, which first opened in 1935, now has new toilets, changing rooms and even a sauna.

Another new addition is an ice cream parlour and food van.

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The lido will be open Monday to Thursday, 6am to 9pm, Fridays 6am to 8pm and between 7am and 7pm at the weekends.

A swim session costs £8 per person, as does a sauna session, though if you want to do both it will cost £12.

A family swim visit (one adult and two children) costs £15.

Afterwards, take a walk along the Hilsea Shore Path, a 3.9-mile coastal path that takes under an hour to complete.

Ashby Leisure Centre Lido, Leicestershire

Ashby Leisure Centre in Leicestershire has its own outdoor lido that reopens for the summer season on May 2.

The lido first opened in 1929, stretches 30 metres and also boasts a sandpit play area and cafe.

The lido is open Monday to Friday 6am to 9pm and between 7:30am and 4pm at the weekends.

Sessions cost from £6 per adult and £3.70 per child.

Greenbank Pool, Somerset

Located close to the Clarks Village outlet shopping centre, Greenbank Pool lido will reopen on May 2.

The pool stretches 30metres and is heated to 30C but also has a separate children’s pool heated to 32C.

Around the pool, visitors can also sunbathe on a grassy area and kids can enjoy the wet play area with water jets and fountains.

The lido is generally open each day between 12pm and 6:30pm and costs £9 per adult, £7 per child between eight and 17 years old, and £6.50 per child between two and seven years old.

Tooting Bec Lido, London

Tooting Bec Lido is the biggest outdoor swimming pool in the UK spanning 90 metres and will reopen on May 1.

The lido which first opened back in 1906 can be found in south London and accommodates up to 1,400 swimmers at a time.

Last year, the lido also underwent a £4million refurb, so now boasts new water and filtration systems.

If you do visit the lido, you will need to register for a free membership and booking ahead is recommended.

The lido will be open from 6am to 8pm each day until August, with two swimming sessions per day. A session costs £9.40 per adult and £5.20 per child.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has visited the lido and said: “When I used to live in South London, this was the best place to spend the mornings.

“Not only was it the best brisk wake up, but there was a form of comradery amongst other swimmers, all supporting each other when the cold got a bit too much.

“In the summer, it has the best vibes, especially after ending with a coffee to relax on Tooting Common to warm up.”

Blackpill Lido, Swansea

Blackpill Lido in Swansea, Wales, is completely free to visit and will reopen on May 2.

No booking is required and there is also a children’s paddling pool, play area and a climbing rock.

There is also a cafe in case you want a bite to eat, as well as the Woodman Pub nearby.

Visitors can hire deckchairs for £3 a day as well.

ONE of the longest piers in the UK has taken the next steps to reopen.

Southport Pier was forced to close back in 2022 due to safety concerns over the stability of it.

However it was announced last year that £20million was being put into its reopening, and works have now started.

Local website Stand Up for Southport confirmed that contractors are now doing pre-construction work, with the full restoration expected to take up to 16 months.

This includes replacing the decking, as well as adding new gates and CCTV, while fixing the steelworks as well.

Sefton Council said: “The first task contractors will have is to assess the current condition of the existing paintwork on the structure’s columns. We want to ascertain if there has been any deterioration since previous assessments were undertaken.

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“If the condition is good it can be left as is, however if not we will also need to repaint the whole structure as part of the repair works.

“This pre-construction work will take at least five days to complete. Following this we’ll shortly be moving onto the ground investigation stage within the coming weeks, which checks the stability of the ground underneath and around the Pier for materials like scaffolding.”

Southport Pier is the oldest iron pier in the UK, dating back to 1860, and is the second longest (only behind Southend Pier).

However, the original pavilion was destroyed in 1897 by a fire, with another fire in 1959 damaging the decking.

It was later given Grade II listing in 1975. with a new £7million tram in 2002.

Councillor Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, previously said: “The Pier is a symbol of Southport’s identity, history, and now, thanks to the Council and Central Government, secured for the town’s future too.”

And it’s not just the pier that was at risk, but Southport’s beach as well.

New studies have found that the increase in sand will lead to increased vegetation – essentially turning the coastline into mud.

AN adventure aquapark is set to reopen this weekend – just in time to cool off Brits this bank holiday.

The park also marks the first of its kind in Europe.

Aztec Adventure near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, will be open throughout the summer season, from May 2 to September 20.

The park boasts a number of obstacles, including trampolines, ropes, stepping stones, climbing walls and a balance plank.

It will also feature Europe‘s first Aquaglide Splash Squad Junior Aqua Park, a smaller splash park for young swimmers aged four to seven.

The main aquapark will be suitable for all ages from six and up, given they meet the minimum height requirement of 122cm (4ft).

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The park promises “an adventure for everyone”, with tickets costing just under £100 for a family of four.

It will also be open from 11am to 3.30pm on weekends, bank holidays and daily during the May and summer school holidays, ensuring plenty of time for family fun.

For those concerned about safety – both parks are fully accredited by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) as gold industry approved aqua parks.

From May 6, there will even be an opportunity for open water swimming.

Visitors can also hire a kayak or paddleboard to explore the surrounding lake area.

The park is just off Junction 5 of the M5 motorway between Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa.

BRITAIN’S biggest aquapark is reopening just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend – and is getting a new 39ft-high water slide.

The ride is built for “adrenaline junkies” and is the first attraction of its kind in the UK.

Aqualand is reopening this weekend (May 2) in time for the bank holiday, and is back with a new addition that is “not for the faint hearted”.

A brand new mega-slide will form part of the adventure site this summer and is “officially the UK’s first tower of its kind”.

The X Tower – standing at 12 metres tall – is a huge six slide tower and is ideal for racing with its dual lanes.

Opening later this summer, it’s one of two new attractions to join the beloved waterpark this year.

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A spokesperson for Cliff Lakes said: “We’re taking Aqualand to a whole new level…

“Standing at a HUGE 12 metres tall X Tower is officially the UK’s first tower of its kind.

“Six epic slides featuring dual racing lanes, high-speed drop slides with kicker exits and a sliding mat, built for adrenaline junkies aged 12 year or over.

“This is not for the faint-hearted. This is next level!

“Are you brave enough to take it on?”

The latest addition to the adrenaline-packed waterpark will open slightly later in the month than the rest of the Cliff Lakes site.

While the rest of the waterpark will reopen on May 2, thrill-seekers will have to wait until May 23 to try out the X Tower.

The new slide will be open in time for the May half-term holiday and the second bank holiday weekend of the month.

Visitors should note that for a trip down the tower, you’ll need to upgrade a general admission ticket by £5 per person.

Adventure seekers are buzzing with exicitment on social media, and are ready to take on the “epic” looking attraction.

Alongside the X Tower, another new slide will also be on offer this summer season.

The Wibit Wave is a 15 metre long and five metre high slide which has a double-wave for swimmers to enjoy.

Aqualand is located at Cliff Lakes in Tamworth, and is around 25 minutes outside Birmingham.

The park features eight inflatable obstacle courses which visitors can explore for up to 80 minutes.

Visitors must be six years or older and at least 1.10 metres tall, and children aged seven and under must be accompanied by an adult on the course.

As well as families, the park also caters for large group bookings, birthday parties, corporate events and hen and stag dos.

Admission costs include wetsuits and buoyancy aids.

SWIMMERS have taken a dip at a historic south coast lido after renovation work meant it could reopen to the public.

The lido has been closed since 2022 due to the general disrepair of the building, and the sum of money needed to restore it.

Hilsea Lido, located in Portsmouth, has been renovated for public use by Portsmouth City Council.

This major regeneration project was prompted by the health and safety risks posed by the building, which first opened 90 years ago in 1935.

The lido was transformed as part of the £7.75million refurbishment.

Now, budding swimmers have had the chance to test out the refurbished facilities before the grand reopening on May 2.

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Hilsea was formerly an unheated saltwater pool, designed to fit 2,000 visitors.

Serving as a Team GB Olympic diving training venue for the 1936 and 1952 games, it also featured as a filming location for The Who’s 1975 film Tommy.

A combination of neglect, structural decay and poor infrastructure saw its closure four years ago.

Harry Smith, director of Sea Lanes, the new operators of the lido, said: “It’s an honour to be trusted with such an iconic and much-loved local landmark, and we can’t wait to bring the site back to life for the community.

“We’re excited to open the doors, welcome everyone back, and start a brand‑new chapter for Hilsea Lido.”

The multi-million pound development was further financed by a Levelling Up fund, meaning any outdated equipment and facilities have been replaced, such as the pool base and walls.

Fit for purpose, the lido now has brand-new toilets and changing room facilities, with a sauna installed.

For families visiting, there is now also an ice cream parlour and food van based on site.

Duncan Anderson, CEO of South Downs Leisure, which assisted the project said: “It’s hugely exciting and a new chapter for the whole of the Portsmouth. 

“When you talk to people in the local area, they’ve all got memories of Hilsea Lido and I think they can’t wait to get back and splash in this pool again.”

The Hilsea Lido will officially reopen to the public on May 2.

AFTER countless delays and setbacks, an abandoned lido is finally re-opening after a year of regeneration work.

The newly-refurbished splash park in Cambridgeshire has reached its final development stages after construction began last year.

St Neots Splash Park will be located on Huntingdon Road in the medieval Cambridgeshire town, near to the popular Priory Park.

This space will replace the sealed up site of the historic St Neots Lido, which attracted swimmers for over 40 years.

Since its closure back in 2003, the space has been left abandoned, despite its appealing location.

The advancement of the project was triggered by a successful Independent Professional Playground Safety Inspection, and commencement date for the final commissioning schedule.

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This work will be followed by a “soft opening” of the park, which has been confirmed for May 2, just in time for the bank holiday.

Details for the formal opening of the splash park are not confirmed, but are expected to be announced soon.

The park’s construction has been no small feat, costing nearly £800,000 to build and requiring a £600,000 council grant.

Now, the site boasts a range of interactive features, including a leaping water arch, a hydro blast and an aqua tent, which forms a dome of water for children to play underneath.

It is also decorated with an appealing range of bright colours and LED lighting, activated using floor mounted buttons.

A spokesperson for St Neots Aquatic and Leisure said the opening will be “giving local families the first opportunity to enjoy this new inclusive outdoor play space”.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and United States President Donald Trump have said that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial vessels.

Araghchi declared on Friday that the strategic waterwat was “completely open” in line with the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect the previous day.

Trump affirmed on social media that the strait was open, later claiming that Iran had agreed to “never close the Strait of Hormuz again”. However, he also posted that the US naval blockade on Iranian ports would “remain in full force”.

In parallel, France and the United Kingdom hosted a meeting in Paris involving about 40 countries, which agreed to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once the US-Israeli war on Iran stops.

The blocking of tankers from using the strait, through which about 20 percent of the world’s crude flows on a typical day, has led to a global surge in fuel prices.

World leaders have welcomed the news with cautious optimism amid mixed messages from the US and Iran:

United States

“The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Minutes later, he issued another post saying the US Navy’s blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme.

Later, Trump told the news agency AFP that a deal to end the war on Iran was “close”, saying there were “no sticking points” left between Washington and Tehran.

Iran

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the strait was “declared completely open” and would remain open for the remaining period of the 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, which took effect overnight Thursday into Friday.

Some Iranian state media reports later appeared to contradict Araghchi’s announcement, with a senior military official telling state media that only nonmilitary vessels would be allowed to transit with permission from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.

The Fars news agency, which is close to the IRGC, noted a “strange silence from the Supreme National Security Council”, the de facto top decision-making body in the country, as the status of the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains unknown.

United Kingdom

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cohosted a summit on a potential military mission to secure the Hormuz Strait with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday, with about 30 to 40 countries participating in person or by video conference.

On the sidelines, Starmer cautiously welcomed news of the strait’s reopening but said it must become “both lasting and a workable proposal”.

He said the UK and France would lead a “strictly peaceful and defensive” multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation as soon as conditions allow.

France

Speaking after the gathering, Macron said, “We all demand the full, immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties.”

“We all oppose any restrictions or system of agreements that would, in effect, amount to an attempt to ⁠privatise the strait – and, of course, any toll system,” he added.

Macron’s office said roles for members of the international coalition working to reopen the strait could include “intelligence, mine-clearing capabilities, military escorts [and] communication procedures with coastal states”.

Germany

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany could contribute mine clearance and intelligence capabilities to the international mission, but would need parliamentary support and a ″secure legal basis″ such as a UN Security Council resolution.

He said he wanted US involvement in the international mission to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “We believe this would be desirable,″ he said.

Trump later appeared to rebuff his overtures, saying on social media that he had received a call from NATO, but declined its assistance in no uncertain terms.

Finland

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who participated in the Paris summit, said on X, “We welcome Iran’s announcement on opening the Strait. Lasting solutions require diplomacy,”

United Nations

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio ⁠Guterres on ⁠Friday welcomed the opening ‌of Strait of Hormuz by Iran ⁠and said ⁠it was “a ⁠step in the ⁠right ⁠direction”.

International Maritime Organisation

Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the UN shipping agency said, “We are currently verifying the recent announcement related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in terms of its compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure ‌passage.”

Shipping companies

The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association said several things had to be clarified before any ships can transit the strait, including the presence of mines, Iranian conditions and practical implementation.

“If this represents a step towards an opening, it is a welcome development,” said Knut Arild Hareide, CEO of the association, which represents 130 companies with some 1,500 vessels.

A spokesperson for Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd Shipping Company said, “We are now beginning to assess the new situation and the risks involved … For the time being, therefore, we are still refraining from passing through the strait.”

In a statement, Denmark’s Maersk said: “We have noted the announcement. The safety of our crew, vessels and customers’ cargo remains our priority. Since the outbreak of the conflict, we have followed the guidance of our security partners in the region, and the recommendation so far has been to avoid transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

“Any decision to transit the strait will be based on risk assessments and close monitoring of the security situation, with the latest developments also included in the ongoing assessments.”

Markets

Oil prices plunged after Iran’s announcement that passage for commercial vessels would remain “completely open” for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

“This news is having an immediate impact on markets,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB. “This is the biggest development so far during the ceasefire, and it gives hope that the war will end soon, and supply chains will return to some normality.”