Latest news with #FusionLifestyle
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ipswich lido campaigner calls for decision over pool's future
A campaigner who has been calling for an outdoor pool to reopen since its closure in 2002 says a resolution on its future is Wainman wants the the owner of the Ipswich's Broomhill Pool - the borough council - to find a new operator for it after a revamp to the abandoned site was plunged into fresh financial National Lottery Heritage Fund said £6.8m of funding that it had pledged was being pulled because work had still not started.A spokesperson for the Labour-run council, said: "We are disappointed, but we remain committed to the restoration of the much treasured Broomhill Lido and pledge to find a way forward." The Grade II listed pool opened in 1938 and plans to restore it to its former glory have repeatedly stalled due to funding firm, Fusion Lifestyle, had been tasked with operating the pool, but the council said Fusion "had been unable to provide assurances about their financial position".The authority said this raised concerns and brought "into question [Fusion's] ability to deliver the project, which received planning consent last year". Ms Wainman says she stood in seven elections, including in the 2005 and 2010 general elections, with the pool her sole campaign said she was still hopeful of the facility being redeveloped "if there's not endless delays". "I would like to see Ipswich Borough Council decide what they want to do and get on with it - either decide they are going to take this on themselves or ask someone else to manage the facility," she said. Ms Wainman said she believed the Lido should not be looked at as a facility that needed to be profitable, but was a public service that could improve people's health and take strain from the said demolishing the pool and building houses on the site was projected to cost £1m over 20 years ago, so was not an inexpensive option. Jack Abbott, Labour MP for Ipswich, said he was disappointed to hear the news but believed "it does not mark the end of the road"."I am pleased Ipswich Borough Council remains resolutely committed to finding a solution," he Footage of pool in 1960s revealed"I will continue to work with the council, the National Lottery and other partners to find a way forward that delivers this landmark project."Fusion Lifestyle said: "We are actively seeking to engage with the National Heritage Lottery Fund to find a solution that ensures local residents can still benefit from this much-anticipated restoration project." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Future of Broomhill Lido plunged into doubt as funding pulled
The future of a historical and abandoned outdoor swimming pool has been plunged into doubt after millions of pounds worth of funding was Lido, in Ipswich, was shut down in 2002, having provided families and swimmers with a place to cool off and take a dip since the then, attempts have been made to restore the Grade II listed open-air pool to its former glory, but the plans have repeatedly stalled due to funding National Lottery Heritage Fund, which pledged £3.8m to the project in 2018 and a further £3m in 2023, said it had now made the "difficult decision to withdraw" after work had not started. "Unfortunately, despite this support, work has not yet begun on site," a spokesperson added."We understand this will be disappointing news as we recognise the significance of Broomhill Pool to the local community, both as a cherished historic site and a place filled with fond memories." The National Lottery Heritage Fund had joined forces with Ipswich Borough Council and Fusion Lifestyle to save the lido about eight years work was postponed when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, but then continued to get delayed, to the point where planning permission had to be granted a second time last months later, with the £10m restoration still not underway, the National Lottery Heritage Fund said it wanted to perform financial due diligence on the according to Ipswich Borough Council, Fusion Lifestyle "had been unable to provide assurances about their financial position".The authority said this raised concerns and brought "into question their ability to deliver the project, which received planning consent last year". A spokesperson for the council said: "We are disappointed, but we remain committed to the restoration of the much treasured Broomhill Lido and pledge to find a way forward."We also have a meeting scheduled with the National Lottery Heritage Fund next week to look at how we might be able to progress the project."Importantly, the council's £3.3m financial contribution for the project will remain ringfenced for the restoration in our budget." 'Seeking to engage' Fusion Lifestyle said it was both 'surprised and disappointed' by the decision, having 'only been made aware in the last 48 hours'.'We are actively seeking to engage with the National Heritage Lottery Fund to find a solution that ensures local residents can still benefit from this much-anticipated restoration project,' a spokesperson told the BBC. Mark Ling, chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust, believed there was still an appetite to turn the fortunes of the swimming pool around."It is disappointing, but I think there's still a will and a commitment to make Broomhill happen and Ipswich Borough Council remains absolutely committed," he said."We can get an art deco Grade II listed lido, one of the finest pools in the country, open here in Ipswich, which will bring great credit to Ipswich." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Public access times to change at popular south Essex school leisure centre
PUBLIC access at Chase Sports and Fitness Centre will no longer be permitted during school hours, Southend Council has confirmed. The leisure centre runs out of Chase High School in Westcliff and will be taken under the full control of the school following the end of Fusion Lifestyle's contract with the council. Residents will continue to be able to use the centre on weekday evenings, weekends and in school holidays. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. For over a decade, residents have enjoyed access to the centre under the council's current leisure operation contract with management firm, Fusion Lifestyle. However, alongside the announcement that the contract will soon be transferred to a new company, Freedom Leisure, Chase will now return to full school control. Community - Chase Sports and Fitness Centre is a valued asset to Westcliff residents (Image: Google Maps) 'We understand how much the local community values access to Chase Sports and Fitness Centre, and we're pleased that it will continue to be available outside of school hours and during holidays," said Matt Dent, councillor for business, culture, music and tourism. "Student safety must always come first, and these changes will help Chase High School maintain a secure and focused learning environment. "We'll continue working closely with the school to support a smooth transition and make sure the centre remains a well-used community resource.' The changes will come into effect from Tuesday July 1, with a council spokesperson adding: "The school's priority is to provide a safe learning environment, and reducing public access during the school day will help protect students and clearly separate school and community use of the site."
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Unacceptable' - Swimming cancelled as Southend pool closed due to temperatures
SWIMMING has been cancelled at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre after pool temperatures drop below required levels. According to residents, the temperature at the Garon Park pool has been steadily dropping in recent months before suddenly closing at the end of last week. Southend Council has branded the level of service being offered by leisure provider, Fusion Lifestyle, as 'unacceptable' and said the firm will continue to be held to account. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. 'It's been getting gradually colder for a few weeks, and I have spoken to staff at the swimming pool about it,' said regular swimmer Andrea Rowlands. 'However, the last time I swam before the pool closed, the water was so cold that it was actually painful to be in. 'I swim everyday so this closure is going to have a big impact on me and the other people who use the pool.' Andrea added that the water in the pool had dropped to at least five degrees below the required 26 degrees celsius for public swimming pools in the UK. Closed - The pool at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre has been closed due to low temperatures (Image: Google Maps) While Fusion Lifestyle is responsible for the operation of Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, the facilities themselves are Southend Council-owned. Matt Dent, Labour councillor for business, said: 'We're aware of the temporary pool closure at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre due to the ongoing temperature issues. 'We've made it clear to Fusion Lifestyle that this level of service is unacceptable. Fusion Lifestyle have assured us they are chasing the contractor to carry out the works as soon as possible this week, so pool usage can resume, and council officers are continuing to hold Fusion to account.' Fusion has also confirmed that it is liaising with contractors to organise a timeframe for the works, which will be communicated to pool users as soon as possible – no reason was provided for the drop in temperature. 'We are working hard to resolve the pool temperature issue at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre,' said a Fusion Lifestyle spokesperson. 'We are liaising with our contractors and will update on timings for the required works as soon as possible.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Unacceptable' - Swimming cancelled as Southend pool closed due to temperatures
SWIMMING has been cancelled at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre after pool temperatures drop below required levels. According to residents, the temperature at the Garon Park pool has been steadily dropping in recent months before suddenly closing at the end of last week. Southend Council has branded the level of service being offered by leisure provider, Fusion Lifestyle, as 'unacceptable' and said the firm will continue to be held to account. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. 'It's been getting gradually colder for a few weeks, and I have spoken to staff at the swimming pool about it,' said regular swimmer Andrea Rowlands. 'However, the last time I swam before the pool closed, the water was so cold that it was actually painful to be in. 'I swim everyday so this closure is going to have a big impact on me and the other people who use the pool.' Andrea added that the water in the pool had dropped to at least five degrees below the required 26 degrees celsius for public swimming pools in the UK. Closed - The pool at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre has been closed due to low temperatures (Image: Google Maps) While Fusion Lifestyle is responsible for the operation of Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, the facilities themselves are Southend Council-owned. Matt Dent, Labour councillor for business, said: 'We're aware of the temporary pool closure at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre due to the ongoing temperature issues. 'We've made it clear to Fusion Lifestyle that this level of service is unacceptable. Fusion Lifestyle have assured us they are chasing the contractor to carry out the works as soon as possible this week, so pool usage can resume, and council officers are continuing to hold Fusion to account.' Fusion has also confirmed that it is liaising with contractors to organise a timeframe for the works, which will be communicated to pool users as soon as possible – no reason was provided for the drop in temperature. 'We are working hard to resolve the pool temperature issue at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre,' said a Fusion Lifestyle spokesperson. 'We are liaising with our contractors and will update on timings for the required works as soon as possible.'
