Worthing Lido – The Lido 1959. Formerly a famous Bandstand
Worthing Lido above after transformation from the Band Stand Area. Local Studies West Sussex County Council 1994
Courtesy of M.A. Hayes Principle Librarian. Local Studies West Sussex County Council 1994 and Dr Sally White Principle Curator West Sussex Museum
Worthing Lido saw all smiles and excitement as Gold Olympic Medallist Miss Judy Grinham opened the new Lido Centre in May 1959 with local Miss Angela Barnwell Worthing’s own Olympic Swimmer
Fun in the Lido. A crowded pool tweaked by agj Courtesy of MA Hayes Local Studies West Sussex County Council 1994
Worthing Lido was an unheated salt water Lido attracted 8,613 people in the first two weeks of opening. Dimensions of the pool were 100ft x 42ft wide with depth of water varying between 3ft and 7ft 6ins. There wasn’t a diving stage at first but eventually a low board stage with 1 metre springboard was installed.
By the time the Lido closed at the end of it’s first season it had been expected that 82,000 people would have paid to swim or relax. Altogether the Lido was in use for 19 weeks, including Whit weekend, but…it was out of order on four occasions whilst slits were repaired in the plastic lining, which was finally removed.
Mr J.H. Coates Director of Entertainment said that […]
Blackrock Lido further along the coast towards Brighton’s Beauties
[…]during winter the Lido situation would be reviewed and improvements may be made with other attractions, perhaps dancing. Jumping on to 1967 there were plans to heat the pool.
OUTCOME:
Due to gradual decline of bathers when Spanish holidays becoming became the order of the day it was decided in 1985/6 that a change of use may be on the cards, becoming a “dry” family area.
It remained open until 1988 housing Dolphins for one year until their special home had been completed, and was finally built over in the winter of 1989/90 to become a children’s entertainment centre. It retains the name of “The Lido.” Richard O’Sullivan Actor and Gary Smart – grandson of Billy of circus fame, opened the Centre in July 1990.
As it is today. Children’s Entertainment area. Will expand +
Further Outcome: 2022 – the site is now in need of necessary restoration. There are talks, plans and considerations of bringing the swimming pool back again! Watch this space!
Council commits millions to renovate Lido and prepares options for its future
Released: Monday, 14 March 2022
Large-scale renovation of the Grade II listed Worthing Lido will cost at least £2m, says a new report.
The work is to be carried out to repair and preserve the concrete substructure of the iconic seafront landmark ahead of plans to revive it as a tourist attraction.
A range of subsequent options to revive the landmark are being considered including returning it to its original theatre and music venue, bringing back a heated swimming pool, possibly including a small boutique hotel or providing a new food court in the space.
A report to Adur & Worthing Councils Joint Strategic Committee (JSC) on Wednesday (16th March 2022) recomm………
A pop back at the former history of the site before the present day Entertanment Area.
Dancing the time away . This was the former site of what was to become the new Lido. Local Studies West Sussex County Council 1994 Brian Hayes.
Along the Worthing Promenade was built a special Bird bandstand in 1897. many concerts were held and enjoyed by the masses. It was so popular that in 1907 a shelter was built over the bandstand to the beach to accommodate even more music lovers.
This bandstand was demolished to make way for an art deco “D”” shaped bandstand enclosure capable of seating 2184 people. The Royal Engineers were the first to perform. The original sloping canopy was replaced by a domed roof in 1929. […]
Gorlesdon Lido also offers dancing and music to the ears
[…] Music continued for the next 28 years but sadly music interest began to decline, and so it was decided that the enclosure was so lovely and wonderful for sun worshippers it would be converted into a swimming pool in 1957. The pool gave much delight for the next 31 years. Then it was filled in becoming the Children’s Entertainment area to the present day 2022
