CHANTS of “save our Lido” were shouted at politicians in the Royal Square yesterday afternoon as a crowd of protesters gathered to influence debate over the site’s future.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham told those taking part in the demonstration that the government would ensure the site “receives the right amount of investment” and “is properly fit for purpose”.
Management of the area recently became a political issue after concerns were raised about its condition, when negotiations floundered and the BeServed Group was told by the government to end its operations at the Lido by the end of this month.
Expressions of interest are being sought from prospective new operators, with a formal tender process expected to be held at a later date.
Marcus Calvani, of BeServed, had warned the building could be stripped back to “a completely empty shell” if he is forced to leave.
And politicians were scheduled to debate a proposition from Deputy David Warr asking that the current operator be permitted to continue to trade as normal until the tender process is completed.
But following last-minute negotiations with government, Deputy Warr has withdrawn the proposition – revealing that an agreement had been reached allowing Mr Calvani to remain at the site until the end of next year.
Assistant Infrastructure Minister Simon Crowcroft said: “As part of this arrangement, the occupier will be required to sign a formal contract and cover rent and a portion of utility bills from the end of October.
“A tender process for the future operation of the Lido will proceed as planned.”
Before this was announced, a “Save Our Lido” demonstration was held in the Royal Square, in support of Deputy Warr’s proposal.
Carole Penfold, the president of the Jersey Swimming Club, told the JEP that if the Lido was left empty it would be “open to all sorts of problems”.
“The people love the Lido; they want it to live. They want to be able to go there and enjoy it – let’s save it,” she said.
Another Islander taking part in the demonstration, Jean McLaughlin, said she had learnt to swim at the site when she was young.
“It’s our heritage,” she continued.
“We have to look after it.”
Addressing the crowd, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham stressed that the government was “fully behind saving the Lido”.
“We are all committed to finding the right future for the bathing pool. We are having a number of meetings today on it; we have a debate coming up in the week but I feel confident we will reach the right outcome.
“I give you our absolute assurance that we will do our very best to make sure the Lido is properly fit for purpose, receives the right amount of investment and can be back at the top of our agenda for public use.”
Speaking to the JEP, Deputy Warr said he was “humbled” by the turnout for yesterday’s demonstration.
“It just shows that we have struck a chord with this – there is a line in the sand being drawn by the people of Jersey.
“The community wants to see it stay open.”
