Why it matters: After more than two decades of determined campaigning, fundraising battles, and rollercoaster moments of hope and disappointment, the community's dream of restoring their beloved lido faces its biggest setback yet.
What's new: After a lengthy period of prolonged uncertainty, the National Lottery Heritage Fund has pulled the plug on its support, with Ipswich Borough Council citing concerns over delivery partner Fusion Lifestyle's financial position.
The fund had pledged £3.8m in 2018 and a further £3m in 2023 but said it had now withdrawn after "work had not started."
"Unfortunately, despite this support, work has not yet begun on site," a spokesperson said.
"We understand this will be disappointing news as we recognise the significance of Broomhill Pool to the local community, both as a cherished historic site and a place filled with fond memories."
The big picture: The setback comes after years of delays have already pushed back the restoration. The project was initially postponed when Covid-19 hit, then faced further delays when planning permission had to be granted a second time last year.
Six months later, with the £10m restoration still not underway, the heritage fund said it wanted to perform financial due diligence on the project.
What they're saying: Mark Ling, chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust, said the trust was "deeply concerned but in some ways relieved" by the funding withdrawal.
"It had become apparent that it was a catch 22 where a scheme with 98 per cent capital funding guaranteed by IBC and NLHF could not proceed unless or until Fusion could provide financial certainty," he said.
"The way that funding works is that when the works commence, the applicant/project lead must evidence the works and then funding is then released in agreed stages/increments.
"But in a scheme this big the applicant needs the cash flow and financial certainty to outlay the large sums of monies upfront."
He said the trust had "lost confidence in the stakeholders to complete the project outcome" but called for Ipswich Borough Council to "act swiftly" and "resecure NLHF funding with greater financial certainty."
"Arguably this is a stronger financial platform moving forward, and the Trust will be working flat out in support of and partnership with IBC to encourage them to press ahead," he added.
The other side: An Ipswich Borough Council spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has made this difficult decision. Fusion, the developer and operator for the scheme had been unable to provide assurances about their financial position through published audited accounts for the 2023/24 year, bringing into question their ability to deliver the project which received planning consent last year.
"Ipswich Borough Council remains committed to the restoration of the much treasured Broomhill Lido and pledges to work with the Broomhill Trust to try to find a way forward. We also have a meeting scheduled with the National Lottery Heritage Fund next week to look at how we might be able to progress the project.
"Importantly the council's £3.3m financial contribution for the project will remain ringfenced for the restoration in our budget and we call on other smaller funders such as Suffolk County Council to continue to ring-fence their grants and work with us to find a solution in the coming weeks and months."
What's next: The council will meet with heritage fund officials next week in what it described as "an initial exploratory meeting" to "understand their position in more detail and to explore any potential options for the future of the project."
The trust is hoping the council could take over as the funding applicant.
The bottom line: After more than two decades of campaigning and planning, the beloved lido's future remains uncertain, but both the council and trust remain committed to finding a way forward despite the major funding setback.
