Letter: We Need a Can-do Attitude to Transform the Lido

Published on: 8 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 8 Oct, 2024

The Guildford Lido

From Dawn Bennett

R4GV borough councillor for Clandon & Horsley

“Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.” Nowhere is this more true than at the Guildford Lido.

Lead councillor for Commercial Services Catherine Houston (Lib Dem, Shalford) says that having visited the Lido one morning, and found only 12 swimmers in the pool, it is not viable to open the season for longer.

Based on current usage, that is undoubtedly true, but I was elected to do more than just be complicit in a managed decline of Guildford which is why I refuse to accept that longer opening is not possible.

Other open-air pools, even ones that open through the year, manage to operate at a profit. So how does Guildford manage to run at a loss, even in the summer season?

One of the trustees of Hampton Lido (who has offered to host a fact-finding team from Guildford) explained to me some of the initiatives that they have taken to ensure the popularity of the pool, such as: 365 day swimming with pool temperature maintained by pool covers, a wide range of activities including 200+ weekly participants in aquarobics throughout the winter, summer concerts which regularly generate a surplus of £100,000+, lessons for individuals, groups and schools which generate income and grants, etc.

Compared to this, the Guildford Lido, hidden away behind Stoke church with no marketing or advertising, does none of these things. We should not be so surprised that it is making a loss.

With the contract up for renewal, Cllr Houston has a choice. Do the same again and continue to manage the decline, or use imagination with a can-do attitude to transform the Lido into one of the jewels of Guildford. It is a hidden gem – let’s bring it to centre stage where it should be.

Responses to Letter: We Need a Can-do Attitude to Transform the Lido

Sally Parrott Reply

October 9, 2024 at 4:42 pm

I agree wholeheartedly with Cllr Bennett.

Guildford has the most wonderful facility in the lido, the heated 50-metre open-air pool which gives joy and emotional well-being to those who use it.

It could attract many more customers than it does, and generate much more income, with a more dynamic approach to events like moonlit swims, concerts, water discos, inflatables, stand-up paddleboarding, and autumn and winter opening.

If Cllr Houston had visited a week later she would have seen the lido very busy, but with people bitterly disappointed that it was about to close for the winter.

Climate change is leading to warmer autumns and winters, but wild swimming is becoming less safe with our rivers and seas polluted with sewage. The lido has clean water and lifeguards, and is very safe.

As Cllr Bennett says, other lidos and outdoor pools manage to operate at a profit. Guildford could and should learn from them.
Steve Batten Reply

October 9, 2024 at 5:55 pm

Well said! I hope some commonsense prevails in the council over this wonderful facility.
Jane Hepburn Reply

October 10, 2024 at 12:06 am

I absolutely agree with Cllr Bennett. Let’s hear it for a re-vamp of our wonderful facility.

I’ve just emailed the FOGL (Friends of the Guildford Lido) team with some ideas for the melting pot and was heartened to see Cllr Bennett’s idea to do some research on how other Lido’s around the country manage to turn a profit.

BBQ’s, evening and late night swims, children’s parties and musical evenings with swims organised by an “events team”… why not?

The pool lurches from single figures during cold spells to unmanageable crowds of thousands during heatwaves, but the potential to capitalise on untapped exercise markets, sports events and after hours activities in the downtimes is immense.

We have an unbridled facility, let’s see some unbridled activities to compliment it.

Three cheers to Cllr Bennett for her vision and enthusiasm to bring a shine to the burnished jewel that our Lido has become.
Alan Judge Reply

October 15, 2024 at 10:30 am

Absolutely.

Those in charge need to stop thinking of the Lido as an outdoor swimming pool and more as a venue with a ready built single access point meaning controlling access to ticketed events is simple.