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Abandoned 100-year-old lido that wants to reopen in one of the UK's best beach towns
THERE'S a lido in Tynemouth that has been closed since the mid-90s that locals hope to reopen.
The outdoor pool in North Tyneside has been around for 100 years with the community campaigning to restore it for the possible cost of £10million.
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The outdoor pool at Sharpness Point beach in Tynemouth was once a bustling place for swimmers.
In its debut weekend in 1925, thousands of people flocked to the lido with people staying until it closed at midnight.
Originally a salt water tidal pool, for decades it was a popular venue for local families and day-trippers.
It would host regular swimming galas and competitions too.
However, with the rise of the foreign holiday, the popularity dropped and the pool closed in the mid-1990s.
But with warmer summers and the appeal of outdoor swimming returning, locals want it to reopen.
In recent years, Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool have been running a campaign to revive the site.
According to the BBC, Michael Wood, of the Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool, said the group had been "researching and speaking to" about 100 possible funding partners, including Sport England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the North East Combined Authority.
He added that if it reopened, he believes the 25-metre pool could become a coastline "gem".
The cost of the renovation project was said to be estimated between £4-5million in 2016 - but that's now doubled.
New £4 million lido to open in UK next year
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If it gets funding to rebuild the site, the group has said it would expect to see 50,000 swimmers per year.
There would also be membership schemes, events, and food and drink facilities, making it "a sustainable business".
A drawn up plan will be presented to the local council, who own the site, within the nex t three months.
Last year, Millets carried out a study that named Tynemouth as one of the best places in the country for a day at the seaside.
They came to that conclusion through looking at the average Google review ratings, water quality ratings, the warmest ocean temperatures and the average parking costs.
Millets said: "The area's main beach is Long Sands Beach, a beach well known for its long stretches of golden sand and the powerful waves in the area making it ideal for surfing."
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Across the UK, there are around 135 public lidos with many being restored.
The Hilsea Lido that first opened in the 1930s and is set to open later this year.
It closed its doors in 2022 for a refurbishment and the outdoor pool benefited from £8.75 million worth of investment.
Along with the new pool, there will be new changing rooms, seating, sun umbrellas and sunbeds.
In London, Summer Splash will open for the summer - and it's completely free.
It will be located at the Royal Docks in London, the lido opens each year to provide a refreshing outdoor water space.
The new lido will open on July 25 and stay open until August 17.
Plus, one of the UK's oldest lidos that is like 'being by the seaside' has reopened.
And another seafront English lido named one of the best in Europe reopens with £4.5million revamp.
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