Guildford Lido doors collected ahead of renovation
The changing room doors were auctioned off for charity
The iconic blue changing room doors from Guildford Lido have been taken off their hinges and auctioned off for charity this week, ahead of the Lido's renovation beginning on Monday October 3rd.
After many members of the Lido asked Freedom Leisure about what would happen to the doors when the refurbishment began, the decision was made alongside Guildford Borough Council to sell the doors and raise money for their chosen charity, the British Heart Foundation.
Essential groundworks and refurbishment of the changing facilities will be taking place from next week.
The Guildford Lido has been a feature of Guildford since its official opening on 21 June 1933. Each year it attracts around 80,000 visits.
General Manager of the Guildford Lido, Becca McLean, said:
"We put a register your interest out and had just under 300 people apply, obviously a bit of an issue as we knew we only had just under 100 doors.
"We've had a few stories come in on what they're planning to do with it which is quite nice, so looking forward to hearing what the others are going to do when they go to their new homes."
A draw took place on Monday 12 September 2022 and successful applications were notified. The doors are being collected this week and the opportunity for people to sign two doors that will remain at the Lido can be found in the grounds of the Lido.
"We've got a lot of members at the lido that have been members here and swimming here for years, like tens of years in many cases, we wanted to give something back and it makes it a little bit more environmentally friendly as well if we're recycling the doors."
A sponsored swim will be taking place on Saturday 1st October, which is the last day that the public can visit the Lido ahead of the refurbishment, and all money raised will go the British Heart Foundation.