Work to restore Broomhill Lido in Ipswich expected to start ‘soon’ as Fusion Lifestyle works to bridge funding shortfall

Work to restore a historic Ipswich lido to its former glory is expected to begin ‘soon’ despite a funding shortfall.

It was originally expected that renovation work at the grade II-listed Broomhill Lido, which closed in 2002, would begin in October after more than two decades of work by campaigners.

Fusion Lifestyle, which is heading up the restoration, are eager to begin the project as soon as possible and is targeting a spring 2026 launch.

A spokesperson for the firm has revealed a slight shortfall in funding which has stalled the project temporarily.

The restoration is estimated to cost about £10 million. Plans for the project were originally approved in 2019 with an estimated cost of £7.5 million.

New plans were lodged in February but are awaiting approval.

However, Mark Ling, chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust, expected consent for the project to be imminent.

The Fusion Lifestyle spokesperson expects work to take 12 to 15 months.

Fusion and its partners, which includes the trust alongside Ipswich Borough Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund continue to work with stakeholders to bridge this funding gap after contractor costs are confirmed.

They added: “We anticipate being able to confirm the proposed start date shortly.

“Contractors are on standby to commence the works and subject to final approvals we look forward to progressing with this important local regeneration project for the residents of Broomhill.”

Fusion Lifestyle was originally selected to lead the project in 2011.

Work was due to start in 2020 but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Ling said the trust still believed Fusion would deliver on the project.

“While it is frustrating, funding was confirmed in December, and inflationary costs have added up since then and every delay causes these to build up,” Mr Ling said.

“From the trust’s point of view, we’re continuing to lobby the stakeholders. We’ve been doing this for 22 years, so we’re quite close to them and will continue to nudge them.

“We’re keen that Fusion has plans to bridge this funding gap and we’ll continue to work with them and shareholders to make the project a reality and get it running smoothly.

“Nothing can start until we secure planning consent. It has taken nine months, which has only led to increasing costs and inflationary pressures, but we believe this will be imminent.

“We hope we’re only talking days or even weeks of delays rather than months.”

Broomhill Lido originally opened in 1938 and was listed in 2003.