ORGANISERS of a historic lido have announced detailed plans of how they are going to restore the building to its former glory.

Saltdean Lido opened an exhibition at the weekend to showcase more comprehensive plans.

It is the UK’s only Grade II listed lido.

After the successful revamp of the crescent-shaped swimming pool, which was attended by 37,000 visitors last season, organisers are turning their attention to phase two of their project.

This includes the Art Deco ballroom, new rotunda cafe, heritage learning zone and new community centre.

The building is first on the list. Once restored, it will be used as a not-for-profit attraction and community resource and will be available for corporate hire and weddings.

Deryck Chester, heritage lead and volunteer director, said: “The restoration of the lido’s beautiful building is the most exciting part of the project. The 1930s was a golden age for seaside architecture in Britain, and Saltdean Lido’s Art Deco building was designed to thrill its visitors.

“For the price of sixpence a day, trippers could enjoy a swim in its heated crescent-shaped pool, then climb its spiral staircase to the grand rotunda and imagine themselves aboard the Queen Mary while enjoying tea and cakes.

“We are working to raise funds and get the money in place for phase two of the project.

“The exhibition provided an extensive examination of our mammoth project. We have done a lot of developments and work on it.

“We need to focus on the crowdfunding part of the campaign.”

Organisers set up the crowdfunding page on its website to raise more than £100,000 to help redevelop its heritage cafe. 

Mr Chester said: “Our campaign to raise £104,000 towards the heritage café will demonstrate to the Heritage Lottery Fund the fantastic level of public support this project has and the fact that people do not want the Saltdean Lido’s building to crumble into a state of total disrepair.

“In the grander scheme of things, we want to bring tourism back to east Brighton and to celebrate the city’s tourism industry. It’s also a celebration of the role lidos have played in tourism.

“The 1930s were all about having fun in an inclusive social space where people from all walks of life can attend.

“The restoration is about making an enjoyable business with community access.

“This project is also about saving something from our past and making it relevant to current and future generations.”

If you would like to support the lido, visit saltdeanlido.org.