Tinside Lido's £4.5m revamp work nears end

Chloe Parkman
BBC News, South West
BBC Tinside Lido. Scaffolding covers a building. Seawater surrounds the outside of the lido.BBC
The buildings have been transformed into a multi-use space

Refurbishment work to transform Plymouth's Tinside Lido is nearing the end, a spokesperson has confirmed.

Stephanie Lewis, head of business and commercial development at Plymouth Leisure Active, said the £4.5m revamp to two derelict buildings at the site would be completed by the end of June.

She said the project would transform the buildings into a multi-use space, offering a coffee pod and an area for hosting events such as weddings and conferences.

It comes as Tinside Lido reopens for the summer at 10:00 BST, after an eight-month seasonal closure.

"We're really, really excited to welcome people back after a really long eight months," she said.

Ms Lewis said early morning and late evening swims would return for 2025.

She said the refurbishment work to the buildings, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Youth Investment Fund, UK Government and Plymouth City Council, began in April 2024.

"We have taken the two almost derelict buildings and turned them into a multi-use event space," she added.

"We have the sun terrace that overlooks the main pool and that has been turned into a public space with fantastic new seating and a coffee pod, which will serve coffee, ice creams, snacks and light bites."

'Tinside Lido is iconic'

She explained: "Underneath the sun terrace, within the main building, what was a derelict old changing room has been changed into a multi-use event space.

"This can be hosted for weddings, conferences, community groups can come in to use the facilities for a multitude of different events."

In addition to swimming, Ms Lewis said the site would be introducing a number of activities including yoga, Tai Chi and other health and wellbeing events.

"Any investment into Plymouth is fantastic," she added. "Tinside Lido is iconic but we just want it to be more than a picture on a poster.

"Our goal is to ensure it continues to thrive, adapt and be accessible for all generations to connect and feel engaged."

She said a number of events were planned throughout the summer, including its summer solstice event on 21 June, which would open at 04:30 BST to swimmers who want to watch the sunrise.

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