Historic English lido with three heated swimming pools and sunbathing zone at risk of closure

A UK lido dating back almost 100 years is at risk of closing next year due to rising costs.

Peterborough Lido first opened in 1936, with inspirations of both Spanish and Roman architecture.

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The Art Deco building overlooks three heated swimming pool, as well as a sunbathing zone.

There are even gardens, splash zones, deck chair rentals and a cafe serving food and drink.

Having remained open for the majority of it's time since opening - apart from a number of events such as the Covid pandemic - the pool is now at risk of closure.

Peterborough City Council has said the closure risk is due to high costs, being around £400,000 a year to run.

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It has suggested a temporary closure next year to develop a "new vision" on running the facility.

Labour council leader Dennis Jones said that while it was something they "wanted to avoid," they needed to "explore all options".

However locals have slammed the suggestion, with many saying it would mean no swimming pools left in Peterborough.

Clare Marshall, vice-chair of Friends of Peterborough Lido, has been swimming at the pool for more than 50 years.

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She said people were "devastated and upset" although added it hadn't yet been fully confirmed.

Ms Marshall added: "With no swimming pool in Peterborough, we're creating a generation of young people who won't learn to swim.

The lido is currently closed for the season, usually running from May to September.

A decision will be made early next year on whether the pool will temporarily shut.

A number of pools have been forced to close in recent months.

Folkestone's only public swimming pool at Folkestone Sports Trust was forced to close back in July, despite public outcry.

Pools in both Eastbourne and Southampton have also been forced to close this past week.

Thankfully there are still a number of lidos still open in the UK, with plans for a new one in London.

And we spoke to a lido expert on which ones are the best to visit.

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