Brockwell Lido Users (BLU) have warned significant investment is needed after Lambeth Council stepped in to take over the management of the outdoor pool.
The transfer in management from Fusion Lifestyle means the lido will be operated by the council’s leisure service, Active Lambeth, from July 1.
BLU are the official group for all lido users and have been actively involved in the governance of the site since 2001, but chair Ben Longman expressed his concerns over the state of the facility.
Longman said: “The major things that need fixing, include pool leaks and renovations to the gym.
“Unless you look after this site and really put a serious investment plan behind it’s going to degrade, not improve.
“It’s an open question to what degree Lambeth Council can fund those investments or would want to.”
Fusion Lifestyle, the lido’s previous operator, entered administration on April 1 following a prolonged period of financial difficulty – as previously reported by SW Londoner.
The BLU obtained charitable status in March to tackle perceived limitations to the council’s ability to make investments in the site, by introducing different sources of funding.
Active Lambeth operates eight leisure centres and has made significant changes to existing sites following a £1.1million investment in facilities across the borough in 2024.
The new amenities introduced include ten-pin bowling and VR sports rooms at the Brixton Recreation Centre, as well as minigolf at Ferndale Community Sports Centre.
The BLU would like to see a shift in the role the lido plays in the community.
Longman said: “The lido is capable of being agile in running programmes to get the community through the door and engaged.”
A spokesperson for Lambeth Council said: “The council’s priority is to maintain continuity of service, protect public access to the site and secure the long-term future of Brockwell Lido for residents.”
Featured image credit: Max Pryce
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