THE Lido has "had its day," says a Spa councillor rejecting plans to reopen the pool.

Cllr Andrew Christian-Brookes (Con-Hampton Lovett) made his feelings known about the redevelopment of the outdoor pool at a meeting on Tuesday, October 7.

Afterwards he said the repair bill ran into thousands of pounds and it would be down to the taxpayers to foot the bill.

Demolished

He added: "It will only be open for 20 weeks of the year and I don't believe it will be worth it. The attraction has had its hey day and should be demolished to build a community hospital similar to the one in Pershore."

But Spa pressure group, Save our Lido Today (SALT) feel many residents would love to see the Lido up and running again.

It has been proposed that Wychavon District Council pay for the work on the facility and Wychavon Leisure should run it. Dozens of people have also offered to give up their time to spruce up the Worcester Road facility.

SALT campaigner, Sheila Neary said: "We have already been assured that there is nothing wrong with the water filter. But it is a massive clean-up operation.

"We realise that there are health and safety implications but there are many jobs that the public can do, while we leave it to the professionals to get down to the nitty gritty."

She claimed that many residents expected a slice of their council tax to go towards a swimming facility. "Many pools across the country only make enough to break even but it is important to encourage youngsters to swim and the Lido is the nearest thing to the seaside that we have got," she added.

Majority

District councillor Pam Davey (Con) was quick to note that the majority of the local party hopes to see the facility reopen next year. She said: "We would like to see a fun facility for families at an affordable price where all can enjoy the brine heritage of the Spa."

Wychavon's community partnership manager Tim Deakin confirmed that the council is considering opening the pool next year.

By LISA HERITAGE