The launch of a public consultation programme into proposals to restore Broomhill Pool has been welcomed by campaigners keen to see the lido return to use.

But the company behind the restoration has warned that it could take longer than some campaigners hope – even if a bid for Heritage Lottery Funds for the project is successful.

Fusion Lifestyle is putting together the lottery bid and has launched a survey and is holding a number of public information displays over the next few weeks.

The first of these events is a stall on Ipswich Cornhill on Saturday.

And from next week an exhibition is due to visit the town’s sports and leisure centres:

Crown Pools

Monday 6 to Sunday 12 October 2014

Whitton Sports Centre

Monday 13 to Sunday 19 October 2014

Northgate Sports Centre

Monday 20 to Sunday 26 October 2014

Fore Street Pool

Monday 27 October to Sunday 2 November 2014

Maidenhall Sports Centre

Monday 3 to Sunday 9 November 2014

Gainsborough Sports Centre

Monday 10 to Sunday 16 November 2014

Broomhill campaigner Mark Ling said the move was a major step forward: “This is great news and gives the public the opportunity to show how much they want the pool to be brought back to life.

“If everything goes well, we could see the pool open again to the public by 2016. This is a very important period for the future of Broomhill.”

Tim Mills from Fusion Lifestyle was more cautious – pointing out there were still several hurdles to be overcome before the lottery bid was decided.

He felt it was more realistic to aim for a 2017 reopening – but said the support of the public remained vital to the project.