Last week the council said the Lido would not re-open for the summer due to concerns over the number of coronavirus cases in Peterborough.The city had been in the top 10 areas of the city for the rate of cases, and included in the Government’s ‘concern’ list.
However, in the past few days the rate has started to decline - on Friday Peterborough was ranked as 16th in the country, with a rate of 19.9 cases per 100,000 people - down from 30.8 the previous week.
There were also concerns about how financially viable the Lido would be - Stewart Francis, chair of Vivacity said the attraction loses money every year, and with a reduced capacity due to the pandemic, and the need to hire more staff than normal, it would lose even more money, especially given the amount of time it would take to get the pool in a suitable condition. During the lockdown the water in the pool has turned green due to algae.
However, last week former Mayor and leader of Peterborough City Council John Peach offered to pay £10,000 to open the pool, with Peterborough MP Paul Bristow also calling for the Lido to re-open.
Today, a spokesman for Peterborough City Council said a shorter summer season for the Lido had not been ruled out yet.
The spokesman said: “We understand the desire to leave no stone unturned in efforts to work with Vivacity to see whether the iconic and much loved Peterborough Lido could open - even if only for a few weeks - this year.
“Public Health advice when Peterborough infection rates began to rise ten days ago, putting the area on a Government ‘concern’ list, was that we should rapidly increase local actions to halt the spread of infection.
“We have done this, and although we still have infection rates which are high compared to the national picture, our rising trend has now started to flatten.
“Although it is early days, we hope that residents will continue to take action to stay safe and reduce the spread of infection, and that the trend will continue to turn around.
“In the meantime we are happy to continue talks with Vivacity, Mr Bristow and others about whether practical and financial offers of help could be put in place which may allow a short season for the Lido, if the trends in Covid-19 infection mean that the risk to public health is sufficiently reduced.”
1. Peterborough Lido
The Lido is likely to remain closed - but a shorter season has not yet been ruled out Photo: Midlands
2. Peterborough Lido
The Lido is likely to remain closed - but a shorter season has not yet been ruled out Photo: Midlands
3. Peterborough Lido
The Lido is likely to remain closed - but a shorter season has not yet been ruled out Photo: Midlands
4. Peterborough Lido
The Lido is likely to remain closed - but a shorter season has not yet been ruled out Photo: Midlands