After weeks of uncertainty, Peterborough's iconic Lido has been saved from the chopping block—though it’s clear the Labour administration at Peterborough City Council only backtracked after facing overwhelming opposition from all corners. While the Lido’s reprieve is a victory for the community, it raises serious questions about why it was ever included in the budget proposal for closure in the first place.
The 88-year-old Lido, located in the heart of Peterborough’s city centre, has been an essential community resource for decades. With the regional pool now closed, the Lido has become even more important to local residents, providing a space for fitness, family fun, and relaxation. Yet, despite its central role in the city’s social fabric, Labour’s initial budget proposal to mothball the Lido left many baffled—especially given the strong, cross-party consensus to keep it open.
Local councillors from all parties had made it clear that the Lido should remain operational. They understood its value not just as a place to swim, but as an irreplaceable piece of Peterborough’s heritage. The fact that Labour even considered closing it was seen as a complete misstep and an apparent lack of understanding of the Lido’s importance to the city.
The Lido has long enjoyed support from local Conservatives. In the wake of the Covid pandemic, John Peach, our Chairman and avid supporter of the Lido, made a significant donation to ensure the Lido’s survival. This act of generosity highlighted the strong community spirit around the Lido, with the local Conservative Party consistently backing its preservation. Moreover, former Councillor Neville Sanders, another long-time supporter, made a substantial contribution many years ago to ensure the Lido’s continued operation. These donations underscore the deep-rooted value the Lido holds, not just to the local community, but to the city’s cultural heritage as a whole.
After significant pressure from opposition councillors, residents, and community groups, the Labour administration eventually reversed its decision. But many are left wondering why it took such a public outcry to save a beloved community asset. The Lido wasn’t just saved from closure—it was saved from Labour’s own flawed proposal, which failed to account for the Lido’s cultural and social significance.
While the Lido has been spared for now, the future of the facility remains uncertain. Council leader Dennis Jones has warned that the Lido must be used more regularly by residents in order to secure its future, stating that without community support, the Lido could face closure again. This rhetoric seems to shift the burden onto residents, implying that it is their responsibility to ensure the Lido’s survival.
The Lido’s potential appearance in the upcoming Apple TV series Slow Horses may provide a much-needed boost to its profile, but the real challenge lies in ensuring the council doesn’t continue to jeopardise its future. Residents shouldn’t have to fight to keep a facility that should be seen as an asset to the city, not a liability.
This episode has exposed the Labour administration’s failure to prioritise vital public services and assets. The Lido’s survival shouldn’t have been in question, and it’s a shame that it took such an outpouring of public support to force Labour to back down.