Broomhill Lido restoration could be centrepiece of Ipswich

Mark Ling said that finally restoring the lido, which has been left in a state of disrepair since 2002, could be the "jewel in the crown" for Ipswich's renaissance following being longlisted for the culture prize and the awarding of £20million to the Whitehouse area of the town.

Plans to restore the Broomhill Lido, a grade-II listed outdoor swimming pool in north Ipswich, were approved for a second time in December 2024.

Mark Ling with Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald (Image: Mark Ling)

However, work has not taken place yet due to funding complications when the chosen operator, Fusion Lifestyle, could demonstrate their financial viability post-Covid.

Since then, the Broomhill Pool Trust has been working with Ipswich Borough Council to deliver the restoration of the lido with possible funding now in place.

Mark Ling, the chairman of the trust said: "Broomhill is very much alive and we have been working with Ipswich Borough Council behind the scenes.

Broomhill Lido has been vacant since 2002 (Image: Newsquest)

"In some ways this has become more streamlined as we are in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to secure the project.

"It would not be a good look if Ipswich is awarded the City of Culture prize and we are unable to restore the town's only public art deco building.

Broomhill Lido:

Concern over urban explorers' break-in at Ipswich's Broomhill Lido
Future of Broomhill Lido in doubt after National Lottery pull funding
Broomhill Lido restoration takes next step forward as fresh plans approved
Broomhill Lido restoration takes next step forward as plans submitted

"It could be centrepiece in Ipswich's renaissance and a real showpiece for the town's City of Culture bid going forward.

"It would also add considerable outdoor pool space for Ipswich and Felixstowe.

"The way forward may well mean a new operator or design, but the Broomhill Pool Trust remains committed to that aim and we believe Ipswich Borough Council is as well."

Restoration of the Broomhill Lido explained

The Grade-II listed Broomhill Lido was built in the 1930s, serving the community of north Ipswich until it closed in 2002.

In 2019, plans to restore the lido were approved by Ipswich Borough Council after years of campaigning.

However, work did not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the three year time limit on work expiring in 2022.

Plans were then resubmitted and approved in December 2024, with funding from Ipswich Borough Council, National Lottery Funding (NLF) and Fusion Lifestyle.

But the NLF pulled out of the project in 2025 after Fusion Lifestyle could not prove its financial viability putting the plans into doubt.