Work is in progress to install motorised covers across Peterborough’s open air Lido swimming pools in a £90,000 bid to cut costs and safeguard the venue’s future.

The new covers were originally intended to be put in place at the Lido, in Bishops Road, during this month but now it has been revealed the works will not take place until the spring.

Peterborough City Council is having the motorised covers fitted across the main 50 yard pool and the learner pool at the Grade II listed Lido in an effort to reduce the cost of keeping the waters heated.

Councillor Mohammed Farooq, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said: "We are in the process of installing the pool covers which will be in place and ready for staff to be trained on how to use them prior to the launch of the Lido season.

Energy cost saving covers will be fitted at Peterborough Lido this spring, according to Peterborough City Council

placeholder image — Energy cost saving covers will be fitted at Peterborough Lido this spring, according to Peterborough City Council

“These works will be taking place in Spring 2026 as we want the covers to be in place before the Lido opening to ensure the energy savings are delivered.

"The pool covers will be an exciting addition to the Lido this year.

"The covers will help to conserve energy by keeping the heat in the water and ensure debris (leaves etc) do not enter the pool when it's not in use.

"We will be announcing the launch of the Lido season in the coming weeks and look forward to welcoming swimmers for 2026."

Just four months ago, Cllr Zameer Ali, the council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Poverty and Public Health, said: “The new pool covers for the Lido are being installed in late February due to electrical works required for the mechanical system.”

Typically, the Lido opens in May and close towards the end of September.

But running the open air swimming pool; has been a tough financial challenge for the council with annual operating costs coming in at about £400,000.

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The local authority has warned in December 2024 that mothballing the Lido for a season was being considered as the council sought to close a £23 million gap in its 2025/26 budget.

It is hoped the covers will both enable the Lido to extend its open season, attract more users and reduce heating costs.

It is understood that the covers will take one week to install.

How will the new mechanism work?

The plans involve the installation of mechanical pool covers to the main and training pool, each installed at opposite corners along the short edge of the pool.

The teaching pool will be provided with one large single cover.

The covers will be supported by a commercial stanchion motorised reel system. The system will be positioned a minimum of two metres from the pool edge, within the existing rail structure around the pool.

Stainless steel support structures will be installed into the ground.