March 16th, 2022
Large-scale renovation of the Grade II listed Worthing Lido will cost at least £2m, says a new report.
The work is to be carried out to repair and preserve the concrete substructure of the iconic seafront landmark ahead of plans to revive it as a tourist attraction.
A range of subsequent options to revive the landmark are being considered including returning it to its original theatre and music venue, bringing back a heated swimming pool, possibly including a small boutique hotel or providing a new food court in the space.
A report to Adur & Worthing Councils Joint Strategic Committee (JSC) on Wednesday (March 16) recommends an extensive period of consultation with local residents about what they would like to see there but also warns that many of the options are likely to be expensive.
In the meantime a specialist report on the substructure repairs needed is imminent with councillors told that borrowing of around £2m is likely to be needed although full costs are not yet known. Worthing Borough Council, which spends around £11,000 a year to maintain the structure against the seaside elements, now recognises it is coming to the end of its natural life and more significant work is required.
Cllr Nicky Waight, Worthing’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “The Lido has been a much loved attraction for residents and visitors over the years but now it needs some extra care from us to give it a bright future. We need to invest more in the Lido to make sure it remains one of our major seafront destinations
‘As we move forward we will involve the community in these deliberations but rest assured the Lido will be part of our wonderful seafront for decades to come.’
The Lido was originally built as a bandstand enclosure in 1925 on the site of the old ‘bird cage’ band stand which dates from 1897. The current ‘D’ shaped enclosure was built on an extended elevated substructure over the foreshore.
The swimming pool was added in 1957, which is when the structure became known as The Lido, the pool being subsequently decommissioned in 1989 with a concrete slab placed over it. The extra weight of the swimming pool and subsequent slab has taken its toll on the substructure, both concrete surface and pillars that support the base.
To help start the process an architectural company with expertise in lidos was engaged to look at possible future uses. Among the options outlined are the return of an outdoor swimming pool including an option to add a small boutique hotel and restaurant, a music venue or a theatre, and a food court.
The report to the JSC says the cost of some of these options might be upwards of £10m with applications to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for and even a public subscription campaign possible options to raise funds for the project.
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March 4th, 2022
A pensioner was saved from a scammer by a quick-thinking taxi driver who had been trained to help the vulnerable by Adur & Worthing Councils.
Arrow Taxi Group driver Lisa Stanbridge stepped in when she heard an 87-year-old Worthing grandmother in the back of her cab telling a friend how she had withdrawn more than £2,000 from her bank and was on the way to give it to a man she had never met.
Read More
March 2nd, 2022
Soul II Soul will make their Worthing Pavilion Theatre debut on Sunday 13th March 2022. The legendary British RnB group will be performing all of their ‘Club Classics’ greatest hits, including Back To Life, Keep On Movin, Joy, A Dream’s A Dream and many more.
Read More
March 2nd, 2022
Worthing is to cut some of its short-term car parking charges to attract shoppers back to the town centre.
Visitors will benefit from a reduction in parking fees for the second hour of their stay at Worthing Borough Council’s three multi-storey car parks from March 28.
Read More
COUNCIL COMMITS MILLIONS TO RENOVATE LIDO AND PREPARES OPTIONS FOR ITS FUTURE
Large-scale renovation of the Grade II listed Worthing Lido will cost at least £2m, says a new report.The work is to be carried out to repair and preserve the concrete substructure of the iconic seafront landmark ahead of plans to revive it as a tourist attraction.
A range of subsequent options to revive the landmark are being considered including returning it to its original theatre and music venue, bringing back a heated swimming pool, possibly including a small boutique hotel or providing a new food court in the space.
A report to Adur & Worthing Councils Joint Strategic Committee (JSC) on Wednesday (March 16) recommends an extensive period of consultation with local residents about what they would like to see there but also warns that many of the options are likely to be expensive.
In the meantime a specialist report on the substructure repairs needed is imminent with councillors told that borrowing of around £2m is likely to be needed although full costs are not yet known. Worthing Borough Council, which spends around £11,000 a year to maintain the structure against the seaside elements, now recognises it is coming to the end of its natural life and more significant work is required.
Cllr Nicky Waight, Worthing’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “The Lido has been a much loved attraction for residents and visitors over the years but now it needs some extra care from us to give it a bright future. We need to invest more in the Lido to make sure it remains one of our major seafront destinations
‘As we move forward we will involve the community in these deliberations but rest assured the Lido will be part of our wonderful seafront for decades to come.’
The Lido was originally built as a bandstand enclosure in 1925 on the site of the old ‘bird cage’ band stand which dates from 1897. The current ‘D’ shaped enclosure was built on an extended elevated substructure over the foreshore.
The swimming pool was added in 1957, which is when the structure became known as The Lido, the pool being subsequently decommissioned in 1989 with a concrete slab placed over it. The extra weight of the swimming pool and subsequent slab has taken its toll on the substructure, both concrete surface and pillars that support the base.
To help start the process an architectural company with expertise in lidos was engaged to look at possible future uses. Among the options outlined are the return of an outdoor swimming pool including an option to add a small boutique hotel and restaurant, a music venue or a theatre, and a food court.
The report to the JSC says the cost of some of these options might be upwards of £10m with applications to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for and even a public subscription campaign possible options to raise funds for the project.
Read More
March 4th, 2022
Awareness training helps cabbie save pensioner from scammer
A pensioner was saved from a scammer by a quick-thinking taxi driver who had been trained to help the vulnerable by Adur & Worthing Councils.Arrow Taxi Group driver Lisa Stanbridge stepped in when she heard an 87-year-old Worthing grandmother in the back of her cab telling a friend how she had withdrawn more than £2,000 from her bank and was on the way to give it to a man she had never met.
Read More
March 2nd, 2022
SOUL II SOUL 'Club Classics' comes to WORTHING - Pavilion Theatre show on Sunday 13th March 2022!
Soul II Soul will make their Worthing Pavilion Theatre debut on Sunday 13th March 2022. The legendary British RnB group will be performing all of their ‘Club Classics’ greatest hits, including Back To Life, Keep On Movin, Joy, A Dream’s A Dream and many more.Read More
March 2nd, 2022
Cut in short-term parking fees to lure shoppers back to town centre
Worthing is to cut some of its short-term car parking charges to attract shoppers back to the town centre.Visitors will benefit from a reduction in parking fees for the second hour of their stay at Worthing Borough Council’s three multi-storey car parks from March 28.
Read More
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