New call for longer open season at Peterborough's Lido swimming pool in future years as hotter summers loom

The demand for the 90-year-old Lido, in Bishop’s Road, to be open for more hours and more days next summer and in future years has come from Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes.

And he says that the city’s other water attractions, the Bretton Water Park and Central Park Paddling Pool, should also be open to the public for much longer.

His call comes as new figures show that an estimated 82,000 people have used the Lido this season since it opened on March 28 and there are still about eight weeks to go until its season ends.

The current number of users compares with the 60,000 customers over the same period last year.

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: “We have had estimated 82,000 people visit the Lido this year as of this week. Last year at this point the figure was around 60,000 people.

"The estimated increase is likely due to it being hotter this year.”

Mr Pakes said: “I want to see the Lido and Bretton Water Park and Central Park Paddling Pool open for longer next year.

He said: “Heatwaves are becoming more regular with higher temperatures starting earlier in the year.

"As the weather changes, we should be making best use of our water features, like the Lido, with the council thinking about better preparation and earlier opening of these facilities.

Mr Pakes added: ““We’ve already seen families flocking to the Lido, Bretton waterpark and Central Park Paddling pool.

"I want the council to look at extending the season for these with the hope of bringing in more people and helping to keep these services going.

“More swimmers at the Lido also means more income to help maintain its facilities and to improve them for the future.

He said: "I’m also speaking to Ministers about the extra support they can give to valued community assets like the Lido.”

Councillor Shabina Qayyum, the council leader, said: "I am delighted that more people are visiting the Lido, it is a wonderful facility which are lucky to have on our doorstep here in Peterborough.

"If there is a chance to consider extending the Lido season, this is something that we would certainly look at.

"We would have to consider several factors including increased staffing and maintenance costs and of course the great British weather, which can affect visitor numbers.

"However, it has always been a vision of this administration to open the Lido earlier in future.”

It is a far cry from January last year when the then council leadership unveiled budget measures to ‘mothball’ the Lido in a bid to save £400,000.

Council leaders had warned that the public would have to use the Lido or risk losing it.

But last year the council spent £90,000 installing covers for the main pool and the learners’ pool to reduce its energy costs.