A landmark outdoor pool that once bustled with swimmers along the Tynemouth seafront in North Tyneside is edging closer to a full-scale revival 100 years after it was first built. Originally opened in May 1925 and left derelict since 1995, the lido is set to be completely restored. Community-led efforts by the Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool have kept the project alive despite a significant increase in costs, as the cost now stands at an estimated £10 million, which is almost double the initial 2016 projection.
The revamped 25-metre outdoor pool with loungers, changing facilities, and a café area is projected to host around 50,000 swimmers every year, according to the Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool. Membership packages, on-site events, and hospitality offerings are expected to generate sustainable income, transforming the pool into more than just a swimming spot, a thriving hub of community activity and wellbeing.
Michael Wood, of the Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool, previously told the BBC: “Our best estimate is that’s now doubled. 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.”
He said the group continues to collaborate with potential funding bodies, including Sport England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the North East Combined Authority.
On May 18, the Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool said: “2025 marks the centenary of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool. In May 1925, after 18 months of construction, as seen below, this humble site opened to great fanfare from the local community.”
They added: “Since 2012, Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool, along with a wealth of generous local organisations, have been working out a scheme of work to enable investment and progress to restore this iconic, but complex site.
“A decade of austerity, Brexit, COVID-19, Ukraine and cost of living crisis has made things interesting to say the least. We’ll share more across this year as we push for funding and decisions.
“While our focus as a team remains establishing a way forward, we couldn’t let a BIG birthday go to miss!”
The group has been updating several assessments requested by the council to ensure the project meets all the necessary requirements for approval.
North Tyneside Council, however, recently rejected a proposal for a full-time worker to help secure funding for the restoration of the outdoor pool, ChronicleLive reported.
Deputy Mayor Carl Johnson emphasised that while they have supported the project, the last number-crunching exercise done two years ago estimated the project to cost £23 million, representing a significant challenge.