Beard completes restoration of UK’s oldest lido
South West construction firm Beard Construction has completed a £6.2m restoration of Cleveland Pools in Bath, the UK’s oldest lido.
As well as calling on Beard’s expertise in heritage restoration, the 15-month project to restore the decaying, 207-year-old Georgian site to its former glory had significant logistical challenges – as all plant and materials could only be brought to the site by boat on the adjacent River Avon.
The work saw the creation of a new crescent-shaped waterproof concrete main pool within the footprint of the original, listed red-brick pool, which was preserved beneath it.
The pool is now ready to welcome its first swimmers. Hundreds entered a competition to be the first to swim and the winning 100 will do so on Saturday, September 10 – from when the pool will be open to the public for a preview, of cold-water season.
The restoration is the culmination of an 18-year community campaign by the Cleveland Pools Trust, supported by thousands of Bathonians.
The trust’s campaign has taken the 207-year-old, Grade II* listed site from the lows of its closure in 1984 and a threat of demolition in 2003, to the highs of its stunning, present-day restoration.
The overall cost of the project is £9.3m, £6.47m of which came from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project has also had significant support from the DCMS Capital Kickstart Fund, Historic England and Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Bath-based architectural practice Donald Insall Associates were lead designers on the project with Hydrock carrying out the structural design.
The restoration has been led by Project Director Anna Baker, a chartered architect who specialises in historic buildings.
Anna said, “I am proud to have played a part in a restoration that many didn’t believe was possible. It’s been complex and very challenging. But it’s also been unique, the project of a lifetime.
“We are a small project team and could not have done it without the help of our hundreds of volunteers. It’s been a real privilege to work on such a community-driven undertaking.
“I’ve especially enjoyed taking this from a community heritage scheme to a project which engages with wellbeing, culture, sustainable energy and the natural environment.”
Beard’s Project Manager Mark Tregelles added, “This has been a rare opportunity to restore a heritage building to its original use. Although logistically challenging, the overriding theme of this project has been collaboration. Working together with Anna, her team, volunteers and local residents has meant that no problem has been insurmountable.
“Having access only by river has really tested our initiative, not only getting materials in and out of the project but also in the method of construction, given the limited plant and equipment that we could get to the site. Overall, it has been an honour to breathe new life into a historic landmark which can now be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Pictured above: The lido at Cleveland Pools (Photo credit: Thomas Erskine)
