Fusion Lifestyle will lead the £10m restoration of Broomhill Lido, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Ipswich Borough Council.
The restoration will see the pool provide swimming, fitness and community facilities.
Fusion-Lifestyle is the leading operator of heritage leisure buildings, and will lead the works and ongoing delivery of the service at Broomhill.
Fusion Lifestyle, the charitable sports and leisure management organisation, has today announced it has secured grant funding from The National Heritage Lottery Fund and Ipswich Borough Council to complete the long-planned restoration of the historic, Grade II listed Broomhill Lido.
The grants will help cover the almost £10m required to complete the project, with the restoration seeing the open-air pool in the centre of Ipswich returned to its former glory; providing swimming, fitness, and community facilities to the local area. This follows over 20 years of efforts from campaigners and user groups in support of the proposals.
Councillor John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, said: “Ipswich Borough Council is thrilled that Broomhill Lido will be brought back to life. Thanks to funding from the Council, Fusion Lifestyles, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this historic local landmark will be restored to its former glory.
The restoration of Broomhill Lido stands as testament to the Council’s and Fusion Lifestyle’s tenacity and strategic commitment, alongside the support of our community to bring this cherished attraction into use.
Ipswich Borough Council is providing a £3.3 million grant to the partnership, which will see the regeneration of Broomhill Lido, creating an attraction which entices more people to work, live, and visit Ipswich.”Ipswich MP Tom Hunt, said: “This is an exciting project, and I’m pleased to see everyone’s hard work pay off. I have worked tirelessly in support of the Broomhill Lido; I believe it is a local treasure which has created a great many memories for the people of Ipswich, and I’m thrilled that we will be able to support this legacy for future generations.”
Fusion-Lifestyle is the leading operator of heritage leisure buildings, and will lead the works and ongoing delivery of the service at Broomhill. Work will take place over a two-year period, with a planned opening in early 2026, bringing much-welcomed opportunities for local users and visitors alike. It will also offer a number of year-round full-time roles, and casual jobs over the peak season.
The new facility will undergo some modernisation works but will maintain its characteristic feel and will be enhanced with a new gym and studio offering, as well as the reinstatement of the lido and nursery pool.
Mark Rogers, Communities and Partnerships Director, at Fusion-Lifestyle said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to deliver this exciting project and reinstate the Broomhill Lido at the heart of the local community. It’s been a long-planned project that we’re sure will delight the community. We want to take the opportunity to thank The National Heritage Lottery Fund and Ipswich Borough Council for all their support in making this happen”.
Robyn Llewellyn, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: "We are delighted to support Fusion Lifestyle with their ambitious plans for the restoration and redevelopment of Broomhill Lido. Once restored, Broomhill Lido aims to be an inclusive, vibrant hub which gives renewed purpose to a site steeped in history.
"At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we aim to ensure heritage sites like this Grade II listed lido are valued and sustained for all to enjoy now and into the future, and we look forward to seeing visitors and locals enjoy the Lido when it reopens."
