Broomhill Pool Restoration Encounters New Funding Shortfall

Plans to restore the Broomhill Pool, a Grade II listed outdoor lido in Ipswich built in the 1930s and closed since 2002, have once again been affected by a funding shortfall. Over the years, efforts to renovate the facility have consistently faced financial gaps. In January, Ipswich Borough Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Fusion Lifestyle reached an agreement on a new financial arrangement aimed at preserving the pool. Nevertheless, Fusion Lifestyle, the organization spearheading the project, has indicated a current “small funding shortfall” that it is collaborating with its partners to address. The estimated cost for the restoration was previously £7.25 million, but Fusion has not yet specified the exact sum required to cover the deficit. The Broomhill Pool Trust, which has advocated for the lido’s reopening for over two decades, expressed its concerns while also stating it has been engaging stakeholders to “move things along”. Mark Ling, the trust’s chairman, acknowledged frustrations but affirmed that the project’s core design remains consistent with the renovations approved in 2019. The initiative experienced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and rising construction inflation costs have impacted the plans. He stated: “From our side we want to try and make sure those delays are reduced as much as possible and that there is a plan to bridge the additional funding gap caused by the delay.” He further commented: “The trust has been at this for 22 years so we’re quite close to the stakeholders, we’re watching everything very closely, we’re trying to motivate and get them across the line and of course our concerns have been raised to them.” Mr. Ling indicated that Fusion Lifestyle has assured the trust that the project will “get across the line.” A spokesperson for Fusion stated that the organization is collaborating with stakeholders “to bridge the small funding shortfall following notification of confirmed contractor costs.” They also mentioned that the redevelopment is in the final phase of planning consent and expressed optimism about confirming a work start date in the near future. Additionally, it was noted that contractors are currently on standby.