A team looking to restore a historic lido has been awarded its first major grant.

Lido team is given its first major grant for project

Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company has won a Government grant of more than £60,000.

Organisers said that the grant takes the lido another step closer to becoming a “commercially viable amenity” which could open by summer 2016.

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The company is looking for |£5 million to carry out a refurbishment on the art deco landmark and the first grant |will kick-start a major fundraising drive, which will include a multi-million pound application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

As part of those fundraising plans, Saltdean’s first outdoor food and drink market will take place at the lido on April 12.

On June 6 and June 7 a beer, wine and cider festival featuring live music will be held in the grounds of the lido.

It follows the decision in December by Brighton and Hove City Council to grant a 60-year lease of the lido to the CIC.

The funding, which is managed by Social Investment Business (SIB), will be used to cover surveys of the building and |pool, feasibility studies into catering and room hire and legal costs.

Rebecca Crook, chairman of Saltdean Lido CIC, said: “We sincerely thank SIB for this grant which is the first step |of many that will be needed |for us to raise the funds we need.”

Caroline Forster, director of investments at SIB, said: “Saltdean Lido is an iconic site of immense cultural value.

“Our mission is to support groups like the CIC in providing services that make life |better for the community they serve.”