A once popular lido in Tynemouth has been left dormant since the mid-1990s—and now locals are doing all they can to bring life back to beloved North Tyneside hub.
The outdoor pool at Sharpness Point beach has been around for 100 years and was once a place bustling with swimmers.
Originally a salt water tidal pool, its debut weekend in 1925 saw thousands flock to the area with people staying until it closed at midnight.
In the years leading to its heartbreaking closure, which coincided with the rise in popularity of the foreign holiday, it was home to a number of swimming galas and a huge attraction for day trippers.
And now residents are campaigning to bring the glory days back.
In recent years, Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool have been doing their utmost 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.
The group was granted conditional planning permission by North Tyneside Council in the summer of 2023.
They claim to expect around 50,000 paid-for-swims each year, as well as membership schemes, events, and food and drink facilities —making it a “sustainable” business.
But it turns out a stumbling block could be generating enough funds to finance its restorement.
Michael told the BBC: “Our best estimate is that’s now doubled [the £4-5 million they expected it cost].
“But leisure facilities bring a significant socio-economic return on investment so that figure shouldn’t scare anyone.
“Generations of people could learn to swim at the site and develop a life-long love for it – that brings with it health and well-being benefits for those users.”
Across the UK, there are around 135 public lidos with many being restored.