People’s Pool team undeterred despite funding setback

Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee has unexpectedly withdrawn seed funding from this forward-looking community project.

The Council viewed The People’s Pool - a inclusive new lido and wellbeing hub - as a potential linchpin for their masterplan for New Brighton.  In a 2020 public consultation, 90% of respondents were in favour; 74% strongly so.  Thousands have signed up in support of the Pool, which will support the community’s physical and mental health, boost the economy and create jobs, just when this is most needed.

A new social enterprise, Our Lido Ltd, has been formed to deliver the project.  The company’s sole purpose is to create and run The People’s Pool.  It has no shareholders, and any future profits will be reinvested for the benefit of the community. 

The Council has supported the Pool since early 2019, and in March 2020 awarded £80,000 capital funding towards project development.  £12,500 was released last summer, matching funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, to develop a business model showing the Pool will be self-sustaining without council subsidy.  The balance was earmarked for a feasibility study to explore sites, develop plans, and pursue next-stage funding using the Council’s support as crucial leverage.  

The loss of this seed funding is a serious setback, but the People’s Pool team are determined to find a way forward.

People’s Pool Founder Deborah Aydon said: -  

“The Council is dealing with enormous budget pressures, so we understand how difficult the timing must be.  We hope that soon they’ll be in a better position to look to the future.  As we start to emerge from Covid, our community’s wellbeing and an inclusive economic recovery are vitally important.  We have developed the People’s Pool proposal to help our City Region build back better and fairer.  Although it will now take longer, we are determined to find a way to get back on track.  So many people have invested their hopes for the future in this project, we can’t let them down”.