Nearly 50,000 people visit lido during record-breaking summer

Beccles Lido is celebrating its most successful summer season ever with nearly 50,000 visitors making a splash at the pool.

Helped in no small part by the sizzling summer heatwave, the lido welcomed 48,821 visitors between May 26 and September 9.

The achievement rounds off an incredible comeback for the lido – which 10 years ago was closed by the council.

In 2008 the lido saw less than 8,500 swimmers visit the pool and recorded an annual loss of £60,000.

Since Beccles Lido Limited acquired the pool from Waveney District Council in 2010 it has averaged around 40,000 visitors each season – peaking at 46,000 in 2016.

However the most recent season surpassed all expectations.

Lido director Shaun Crowley said: “The first few weeks of the summer holidays were just astonishing - we had 15,000 visitors in three weeks.

“It was bonkers; we have never known a period like it.”

Mr Crowley said the growing success of the community run pool was further affirmation the charity had made the right decision to work hard and save the lido.

He said: “There were lidos around the country but the general opinion was that they were a relic to a bygone age with no future.”

The director believes it “rode the wave of the lido revival” and proved the people of Waveney truly wanted to see it saved.

Mr Crowley added: “Thank you to everyone one who has come and supported us and all the volunteers working hard behind the scenes.”

With this season’s success the lido is now preparing for its “single biggest project” to reline the main pool in time for 2019 summer season.

The work, which will cost around £300,000, will secure the long term future of the lido and the charity have applied already applied for a number of grants to raise the funds.

Mr Crowley said: “We hope to raise the money before Christmas and complete the work before we open in May.”

The charity hopes to raise £15,000 through community support to go towards the total budget and illustrate this to potential investors.

To support Beccles Lido, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/NewLiner Got a story? Email james.carr@archant.co.uk or call 01502 525832.