Portishead open-air pool saved

Portishead's open air pool has been saved from closure following a campaign led by members of the community and backed by the Post.

North Somerset Council has agreed a lease with the Portishead Pool Community Trust to run the pool for the next 12 months.

Final tweaks are being made to the agreement and the pool will open under the management of the trust for the summer 2009 season on May 23.

The agreement brings a successful conclusion to the Save The Open-air Pool (STOP) campaign, which has brought the whole town together to fight against the original proposals to close the popular seafront attraction.

The campaign was launched in October last year because North Somerset Council bosses said they wanted to close the pool, which opened in 1962, and demolish it.

They said it cost the council £130,000 a year to run, but the Post stepped in to champion the cause and campaign for the pool to remain open after news of its proposed closure sparked a wave of protest in the community.

More than 500 people took part in a march through Portishead, chanting "Don't be Cruel Save our Pool".

The trust will take over the pool – one of few remaining open air lidos in the country – and lease it from the authority for a peppercorn rent.

STOP campaign leader Roger Whitfield said: "This is the best news we could have hoped for.

"We are over the moon the council has agreed to hand over the pool to the trust and secure its future for the people of Portishead and the surrounding area.

"The real hard work starts now and we will be working flat out to get the pool open in May."

North Somerset Council has agreed to allocate a subsidy to the trust of £48,000 to help with the running costs.

Although the contract is only for 12 months, if the pool is managed successfully and the trust reaches its fundraising targets, a 40-year lease will be agreed.

Mr Whitfield praised the local community – and the Post – for getting behind the campaign and fighting to save the lido.

He said: "The support we have had for the campaign has been phenomenal and from all sections of the community, young and old.

"The Post has championed our cause right from the very start and been our voice and our friend, determined to stand alongside us to get the right result.

"Without the Post's backing, we would have not reached the point we have now."

A North Somerset Council spokesman said: "The council has reviewed proposals from the Portishead Pool Community Trust, and while there remain risks with its plan, the council considers the business plan is sufficiently robust for it to enter a lease agreement for the trust to operate the pool.

"With the lease, the trust will be in a stronger position to secure a cafe/restaurant operator and to secure fund-raising and grants.

"Separate to the lease, the council will enter into a funding agreement with the trust to provide a grant to contribute to the trust's costs in a transitional hand-over period."

Community leaders said they were delighted the pool had been saved and paid tribute to the trust, the Post and residents who campaigned to secure its future.

Town council vice chairman Councillor David Pasley, whose ward includes the pool, said: "This is fantastic news and has saved a much-loved feature and part of Portishead's heritage.

"The people of Portishead spoke up and were prepared to fight to save the pool and the council has listened.

"The STOP campaign galvanised people into action and the Post's support is a great example of a newspaper taking an active role and supporting the community."

Long-standing pool campaigner Annette Hennessey, who formed the Friends of Portishead Open Air Pool two years ago to campaign to secure the lido's future, said: "I am delighted that the trust has secured a lease for the pool.

"The pool is a fantastic and very important facility for Portishead and I hope attempts continue to safeguard it for the future."

The Portishead Loafers have swum at the pool since it opened more than 40 years ago.

Loafer Dot Lewis, said: "It's just fantastic news and I am delighted the council has listed to all the people who have fought long and hard to save this very valuable facility."

Pool trustee and lifelong pool user Pat Gardner, aged 51, of Portishead, said: "I went to the pool for the opening when I was four-years-old and my family and I have used it ever since.

"I am ecstatic it has been saved for the people of Portishead and Bristol and will be popping the champagne corks to celebrate."

Campaigners have already raised nearly £10,000 to help get the lido open this summer season as part of the STOP campaign's Give A Pound for the Pool drive.

Trustees plan to continue to fundraise and a number of money spinning events are planned to reach the £20,000 target.

The trust will also be making applications to organisations for grants to help with the maintenance and running costs of the pool.

Improvements planned at the attraction include a new pool cover, the installation of solar panels for heating the water, the refurbishment of the changing rooms and a plan to re-open the childrens' pool.

Volunteers have signed up to help get the pool into shape for the summer and a programme of repairs is planned.

Trustees are also waiting to see if the lido has been chosen for a makeover as part of the UKTV Style programme Ty's Great British Adventure, being broadcast later this year.

If chosen for the makeover, the pool will be refurbished by experts, helped by volunteers from the local community.

A decision on whether the pool will feature on the show is expected in the next few weeks.

Mr Whitfield said: "To be chosen for the makeover would just be the cherry on top of the cake."