Lowestoft Grand Indoor Baths. Indoor old Sea Water Baths
Lowestoft Grand Indoor Baths above were filled with water from the sea. Suffolk Libraries 1996
Lowestoft Grand Indoor Baths much missed and remembered
There are still quite a number of people in Lowestoft that look back to the days when the town had it’s own 1986 indoor swimming pool situated just a walk up from the beach and around the corner into London Road South.
Lowestoft Indoor Sea Water Baths – 1915 Will expand to full view +++ Suffolk Libraries. Kerry Meal 1996
Lowestoft Grand Indoor Baths had a chequered life. There was a pipe which led from the swimming pool to the sea which was used to draw fresh sea water for the bath. For a time it was used as an ice skating rink. It was opened for business for swimming again in 1916.12 lessons for £1.1s.
By 1920 apparently there was little demand for an indoor swimming pool in the town at that time – North Denes Pool was in operation and there were plans for the new Gorlesden Outdoor Pool to be opened in 1939 – and so the “Grand” old swimming Pool was converted into the Grand Cinema when movies were having a demanding impact on entertainment It was decided that it would change to a Picture Palace. One of the first films to be screened was “Nobody’s Child.”
Exterior of the Baths – becoming a Cinema – and here a Bingo Hall and Grand Sporting Club 1956 Suffolk Libraries. Kerry Meal 1996
The rubble of the swimming basin remained underneath the new cinema floor. It prospered well until 1956 but when the oncoming of rival TV came along it was decided to convert it to a Grand Bingo Club, and Grand Sporting Club. During 1964 there was planned a launderette on part of the site too[…]
Read more…Gorleston Lido Lowestoft. Famous Floral Pavilion
OUTCOME: Until 1972 the exterior of the building remained very much despite its many uses. Many people lamented at the buildings passing when the doors closed for good in 1990. There was much planning, debate and talk for another future basic indoor pool, but on a different site. Water Lane saw a 25m indoor pool which finally came to fruition and opened in 1974.
The Kirkley Centre – 154 London Road Lowestoft. Emulates the old architecture of the Baths in a modern sort of way. Google earth
The site of the Grand Old Baths became the The Kirkley Centre. This is a unique business conference and training venue in Lowestoft Suffolk, owned by the Community Forum.
Do you sit in the office in the Kirkley Business Centre and imagine it to be ‘A well loved old sea water baths of the time.?’
Hi Anne I enclose notes from the Book “Under the Griffin’s Wing”
A cutting from The Lowestoft Journal gives an account of a Military Swimming Gala held on August 27th 1915 (at South Lowestoft Baths) which attracted a large number of Civilians, Soldiers and Naval Ratings.
‘I was one of the three finalists selected. together with two Sergeants. We had to dive from the high board, the springboard, the table and do a running jump from the side. This was one of the rare occasions when a Private could gain ascendency over a non-commissioned officer without getting into trouble and I am pleased to say i did just that by winning the Championship.” F. Cobb – A Norwich Boy.
Anne: Thank you Janet. What an achievement for F. Cobb
I was interested to discover that your research into long lost lidos has continued over the last 10 years and has blossomed into websites. After a wonder around your website, which I found most interesting by the way, I see that you have as yet to include Lowerstoft so I look forward to checking in the future and finding our lost pool available for one and all to discover.” Kerry from Lowerstoft. (Kerry will now have found it!) Letterpost 2004