Funding boost for Cleveland Pools restoration
Historic England's putting up extra cash to fund stonework repairs
Repair works to Britain's oldest lido are getting a funding boost - as the campaign to reopen it to the public nears completion.
Cleveland Pools in Bath is due to reopen this summer, after an eighteen year campaign to get it back into use.
Today, Historic England's announced it'll be putting an extra ÂŁ123,681 towards repairs to the stonework of the Grade II* listed building
The need for the repairs have come to light as the project has progressed - it comes on top of an original grant of ÂŁ412,960, which was awarded in December 2020.
It follows a month-long Crowdfunding appeal to get the ÂŁ8 million project over the finish line.
Paul Simons, Chair of the Cleveland Pools Trust said: “The 18-year campaign to bring Cleveland Pools back into community use will finally be achieved in 2022.
"Despite rising costs, technical challenges and the unforeseen impacts of the covid-19 pandemic the Trust has been able to rely on the unfailing support of Historic England throughout.
"The enhanced grant aid is most welcome and will enable the Trust to complete the works on site this year.”
Dating from 1815, Cleveland Pools are believed to be the oldest surviving public outdoor swimming pools in England and thought to have been designed by local architect John Pinch
It eventually closed to swimming in 1984, and for a short time the site was used as a trout farm, but it was threatened with demolition as an alternative to repair.
The Cleveland Pools Trust (CPT) was formed in 2004 to rescue the pools from dilapidation, and the pools were placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in 2005.
John Ette, Partnerships Team Leader at Historic England, said: “The rescue of Cleveland Pools is one of the most important conservation projects in the South West.
"We are delighted we have been able to provide additional support at this crucial stage. The reopening of these fantastic historic pools is now firmly in sight.”