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The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Victorian seaside town home to MASSIVE abandoned lido is being brought back to life in £6.8million makeover
A PICTURESQUE seaside town plans to give its promenade and abandoned lido a £6.8 million revamp. Victorian town Grange-over-sands has managed to keep much of its charm and elegance, despite many coastal resorts in the UK falling in to disrepair. 4 4 4 The popular resort, located near the Lake District in Cumbria, is packed with quaint cafes and a bustling promenade. Grange-over-sands doesn't technically have a beach, as it is a salt marsh, but in times gone by this was not an issue as holidaymakers headed to the town's lido to soak up the sun. However, despite the holiday resort having its own micro-climate its popular lido was closed back in 1993, and fell into disrepair. Since its closure, the Grade II listed building has become filled with stagnant water, with weeds growing uncontrollably around the poolside. A local charity group called Save Grange Lido has now been formed, with locals desperate to get the attraction back up and running. "Grange Baths became a focal point for the community with bathers coming from far and wide by train on the Furness Line – a part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway," the group said. "The pool hosted many events over the years including beauty contests, competitive galas and synchronised swimming. "It was the place to be seen on a summer 's day." Back in 2023, work began on restoring the lido to its former glory, as well as giving the 2.4 mile long promenade a facelift. Almost £5 million has been allocated to transforming the pool, which will be given a temporary infill so that it can be used as a 'multi-use' public space. I left iconic UK seaside town to live on tiny Scottish island with just 60 people However, the lido's return is currently dependent on the council being satisfied by the business case, amongst other criteria. The rest of the money is being used to transform the promenade. "Work on the 1,900m-long promenade will include the removal of unstable sections of the sea defence wall; the application of a durable coating to the upper surface of the promenade; and, a combination of pre-cast and in situ concrete repairs to the upper edge 'bull nose' and sea-facing elevation of the sea wall," Westmorland and Furness Council said. "The work also includes connectivity works to link the promenade to the town; public realm furniture; signage; improvements to railings; and a new child's playground area." In February 2023, the council said that the refurbishment would take 14 months to complete, however it has been hit by a number of delays, including problems with concrete. Last month, the council announced that it is "unlikely" the project will be finished this summer, and revealed that a new opening date will be announced this week. "While it is frustrating that the construction phase must be extended due to further assessment of the repairs required to complete the project, it highlights the complexity of working with historic assets of this nature," Councillor Jonathon Brook said. "It is important that we get this right, understanding that the lido project seeks to restore this important structure after more than 30 years of closure and several previous attempts to bring it back to life." But for those desperate to visit the idyllic town before the lido is completely, there are plenty of other attractions nearby, such as a visit to Holker Hall and Garden - an award-winning stately home with beautiful gardens, woodland walks and a deer park. Cartmel Village is known for its famous sticky toffee pudding and it's also a short drive away from Grange-over-Sands. Other neighbouring attractions include The Lakeland Motor Museum, Yewbarrow House Garden and Sizergh Castle and Garden.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Abandoned English lido delays reopening date after £6.8million restoration
MAKING WAVES Plus, the UK's best lidos that are open now Alice Penwill , Travel Reporter Published : 11:51, 28 May 2025 Updated : 11:51, 28 May 2025 WORK to upgrade the Grange Lido in Morecambe Bay began two years ago - but it's now missed its second opening date. The salt-water lido overlooking Lakeland Fells has been closed since 1993 with plans to refurbish it with £6.8million worth of funding starting in April 2023. 4 The Grange Lido in Morecambe Bay has been undergoing upgrades Credit: West Morland and Furness Council 4 The lido has been closed since 1993 Credit: Alamy When work began on the Grade II listed site at Grange-over-Sands, the project was expected to last 14 months. However the original reopening of summer 2024 was delayed, and it has been set back once again. The first phase of the restoration is to reopen the site with a temporary infill of the pool to create a new multi-use public space. The Westmorland and Furness Council said it was sorry to "disappoint" residents and it would announce a new reopening date in the coming weeks. There is good news though as council leader Jonathan Brook said most of the work on the project had been completed and it looked "fantastic". He added: "It is important that we get this right, understanding that the lido project seeks to restore this important structure after more than 30 years of closure and several previous attempts to bring it back to life." Completed works at the lido include an upgrade to the pavilion building as well as an accessible entrance from the promenade. The changing rooms have been upgraded, and works to the roof and terraces has been completed, along with security upgrades, cleaning, and external decoration. The lido fell into disrepair in 1993, so significant structural and architectural works have been undertaken - including concrete repairs to the diving board. A new playground area has also been installed on the site. New £4million lido to open in UK next year 4 The lido overlooks Lakeland Fells Credit: Alamy The Grange Lido is one of only four remaining listed coastal lidos in England, it was constructed in 1932 and remained open for 61 years. It was closed in 1993 due to low usage and rising repair costs. It remains the earliest and most complete 20th-century listed sea water lido in England. In 2011, the lido was granted grade II listed status and in the same year, the Save Grange Lido group was formed. The group has grown in strength with 18,000 people signing a petition calling on the council to include reopening of the pool in any plans to restore the lido. During the second phrase of the restoration project, the infill will be removed. The 50m pool will eventually be restored, fitting out changing rooms, and extending the central pavilion. This seafront English lido has been named one of the best in Europe. Here's another Edwardian lido that people say is like 'being in the Med' named one of the best in the UK. And the UK's best outdoor water parks and lidos to visit when the temperatures are set to soar. 4 The Grange Lido is set to be turned back into a pool during phase two Credit: Alamy
BBC News
10-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Grange-over-Sands £6.8m lido refurbishment reopening delayed
The reopening of a lido refurbished in a £6.8m scheme has been delayed again after problems were uncovered with concrete began on the Grade II listed site at Grange-over-Sands, in Cumbria, in 2023 and the project was expected to last 14 its 2024 reopening was delayed and Westmorland and Furness Council said further setbacks meant it was "unlikely" the project would be completed this summer. The authority said it was sorry to "disappoint" residents and it would announce a new reopening date in the coming weeks. The lido closed in 1993 after falling into on the site has included the installation of a new drainage system as well as sea wall repairs. Council leader Jonathan Brook said most of the work on the project had been completed and it looked "fantastic".However, he said: "While it is frustrating that the construction phase must be extended due to further assessment of the repairs required to complete the project, it highlights the complexity of working with historic assets of this nature. "It is important that we get this right, understanding that the lido project seeks to restore this important structure after more than 30 years of closure and several previous attempts to bring it back to life." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
