Bathing debate canceled after agreement

A debate over the future of an outdoor swimming pool complex has been canceled after a late agreement.

The debate was to discuss whether Havre Des Pas Lido’s current tenant, Lido Ltd, should be allowed to remain on the site until a tender process is completed.

The proposal was put forward by MP David Warr, who late reached an agreement with government ministers, meaning Lido Ltd has a guarantee it can stay on the site until the end of 2025.

Earlier on Wednesday, dozens of people gathered in Jersey’s Royal Square to lobby politicians ahead of the expected debate and were addressed by the Prime Minister.

Lido Ltd’s lease was due to expire at the end of October and the government had said they would take over the vacant site pending the completion of a tender process.

Protesters said they feared for the future of the site if the government took it over.

Mike Graham of the Havre Des Pas steering group said: “We’re going to end up with nothing, it’s just going to fall apart, they’re just not interested.”

Carole Penfold, head of Jersey Swimming Club, said: “It’s important they stay where they are.”

“They have done a great job in very, very difficult circumstances over the last few years.

“It’s very hard to run a business when you have a leaky roof that hasn’t been repaired.”

Warr met with ministers after the protest and they reached an agreement.

He said: “We have a guarantee that there will be no effort to remove the tenant in 2025.”

“The deal we have is better than what my proposal called for.”

He added that the demonstration was “very helpful in achieving this result.”

The protesters also want the Lido to be returned to the people, through a newly formed organization called Love Our Lido.

It was founded as a limited liability company and is awaiting the granting of non-profit status.

The Lido site is currently managed by Jersey Property Holdings – a government organization.

Ms Penfold said Love Our Lido’s management of the site would save the Government money: “They don’t have enough money to look after all the properties they have anyway and here’s a property we have for the future could keep.”

Marcus Calvani, the owner of Lido Ltd, welcomed the idea: “We have agreed to let Love our Lido continue to operate – my wife and I are burnt out by it.”

“We have fought for this for years and need some time to recover.”

Warr said Love our Lido would now make a bid to take over overall management of the pool.

Deputy Minister for Infrastructure, Constable Simon Crowcroft, said: “Following productive discussions with Deputy David Warr, we have reached agreement on the situation at the Lido.”

“We can confirm that the current user will be able to remain on site until the end of 2025.”

He continued: “The tenant will have to sign a formal contract and pay the rent and part of the electricity bills from the end of October.”

“A tender process for the future operation of the Lido will proceed as planned.”

Follow BBC Jersey on X (formerly Twitter) And Facebook. Submit your story ideas channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.

More on this story

Related internet links