New figures show 60,000 users took to the water at Peterborough Lido in record hottest summer
About 60,000 people have taken the plunge at Peterborough’s historic Lido open air swimming pool this season, according to new figures.
The number of swimmers at the 90-year-old Lido, in Bishop’s Road,.this season, which still has just over a week to go, easily surpasses the 39,000 users across the entire season last year.
Although the backdrop to this year’s huge number of swimmers is the UK’s hottest summer on record, which included five heatwaves, the trend going forward is expected to be longer and hotter summers.
It has prompted a call from Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes for new plans to show how extra income from swimmers can be invested into improvements at the Lido.
A spokesperson for Peterborough Ltd, which runs the Lido, said: “So far this season we have had almost 60,000 users. Last year we had 39,000 in total.
"There is just over a week left to make the most of heated outdoor swimming, and next week looks like being another fine week.
“The last public swim is on September 30.
She added: “We are then hosting the Level Water 12 hour 'Dusk til Dawn Challenge', which starts at 7pm on October 3.
“Following this, it's the ever popular end of season Dog Swims with three dates on offer - October 4, 9 and 10. Tickets are on sale now.”
Mr Pakes, who has called for a national Lido Regeneration Fund to be created to protect historic open air swimming pools across the country, said: “The latest figures highlight the importance of the Lido for so many people and with more hot summers likely we need to be building on this success.
"A better season also means better ticket sales so I am looking forward to plans for how this income can be invested into future improvements, alongside the bigger work I am leading in Parliament to help fund Lidos.
"I’d like to see a proper plan for how we can extend the Lido season and help more people get active and swim outdoors for a longer period.”
“This was the summer Lidos were made for with swims up nearly a third around the country and a record season in Peterborough.
"This has been a glorious summer for the Lido and a far cry from when its fate was on the chopping block.”