Twenty-three years of hope and heartbreak: Why Broomhill Pool campaigners refuse to give up

Why it matters: After 23 years of tireless campaigning and coming "agonisingly close" twice to securing the restoration, Mark Ling has pledged to "double down" efforts to save the grade II listed lido, calling for Ipswich Borough Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to work together directly.

The big picture: In his chairman's report for 2025, Mr Ling said this was "not a time for looking backwards, for blame, or to lose sight of the goal" following the National Lottery Heritage Fund's decision in July to withdraw its £6.8m grant to Fusion Lifestyle.

The trust says it is "in some ways relieved" by the funding collapse, arguing it had become a "catch 22" where a scheme with 98 per cent capital funding could not proceed because Fusion Lifestyle could not provide financial certainty.

Mr Ling said the project could now be "rebooted" with the council making the application directly, providing the necessary financial certainty and cash flow.

What's being offered: The trust chairman outlined the project's strengths in an appeal to stakeholders:

• The scheme has planning approval and an approved design
• A long-standing project team is in place, with many local companies keen to progress
• This is a grade II listed lido, one of the finest in Britain and Britain's deepest outdoor public pool
• The restoration has incredible public support and cross-party political backing
• Ipswich Borough Council has reaffirmed its £3.3m commitment
• This would be the first major National Lottery Heritage Fund investment into North Ipswich, and one of the largest grants for the Ipswich area
• The locality is home to two pockets of deprivation, and the project could transform its fortunes

What they're saying: "Whilst the Trust is deeply concerned by NLHF's decision to pull their £6.8m grant to Fusion Lifestyle, we are in some ways relieved," Mr Ling said.

"If the scheme can quickly be rebooted with IBC making the application, then financial certainty and cash flow is there. The project is ready made with planning permission, design, and approved in principle."

He added: "Arguably this is a far 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."

For context: The National Lottery Heritage Fund withdrew its grant to Fusion Lifestyle in July after the leisure operator was unable to provide financial certainty through published audited accounts. The fund had pledged £3.8m in 2018 and a further £3m in 2023, making it twice that the major funding appeared secured.

It is to Fusion Lifestyle's credit that despite unprecedented conditions during and post-Covid, they remained committed to the Broomhill Pool project, according to Mr Ling.

What's next: The trust is lobbying Ipswich Borough Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to work directly together to provide the necessary financial platform and deliver a project that has twice received backing.

If re-elected as chairman at the trust's annual general meeting, Mr Ling has committed to ensuring the trust's full partnership to back stakeholders to get "this wonderful public asset saved."

The bottom line: "The Trust has campaigned tirelessly and positively for 23 years. As community champion we appeal to you both to come together, to finally get the project over the line and save this wonderful asset for future generations," Mr Ling said.