A GOVERMENT decision to select a new operator to run the Lido at Havre des Pas has caused a “great deal of anger in the community” and will continue to be fought, a St Helier Deputy has said.
Yesterday, it was confirmed that First Point Property Services – which specialises in events and property management, and is currently involved in the running of La Frégate – will take over the Havre Des Pas café, pool, showers and toilets rent-free, and with £66,000 from government every year to maintain the historic swimming facility.
However, the move has been met with fierce criticism, with community group Love Our Lido having previously been given “preferred bidder” status which was subsequently overturned when talks with the government collapsed leading to the fresh tender process.
Deputy David Warr has said that he will ask States Members to overturn the decision. His proposition would, if approved, force government to withdraw from current negotiations and instead sign an agreement with Love Our Lido, while pledging £170,000 annual funding towards maintenance of the pool.
The former Housing Minister said government had ignored those who have “skin in the game” and that the selection panel had chosen commercial interests over the community value of the pool.
“There is a great deal of anger in the community right now,” he said. “I believe that their wish has not been delivered by this outcome today.”
“There is no way that I will be withdrawing the proposition. The lease is still up in the air until the Assembly decides.”
He added that he had “no doubt at all” that this would interfere with talks with First Point and that he would be holding a public meeting, inviting members of the community, politicians and First Point to speak at 6pm on Thursday night, ahead of a protest on Tuesday 11 November. His proposition is due to be debated during the States sitting beginning on that date.
Negotiations with Love Our Lido reportedly collapsed because of “uncertainty” over the costs they would face, and whether they would be able to get charity status.
But Deputy Warr said there was a “backstop” of £100,000 per year that they thought they might have to spend on the venue, and that if they operated as a charity, governors would be personally liable.
It was “an incredible risk to take” for First Point, he added.
The Lido has been managed by Marcus Calvani’s BeServed Group since 2015 – but a new lease could not be agreed.
The government said that the current occupier did not participate directly in the selection process and has a licence to operate until 25 December 2025. They have been given notice of the need to vacate the premises by this date. The new lease with First Point is due to commence on 1 January 2026, pending the outcome of Deputy Warr’s proposition.
St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft, who is also an Assistant Infrastructure Minister, said there were questions about whether Love Our Lido could achieve charity status, and he criticised the group for asking for government funding when their initial bid said they would self-fund.
“You can’t normally move the goalposts,” he said.
The new operator, he said, would focus more on “community events” than big one-off events like weddings and parties. According to Mr Crowcroft, the new operators have suggested hosting children’s activities, working with the Youth Service to proactively counter anti-social behaviour in the area.
He added that a rent-free agreement was “much better” than the previous arrangement, as the new operator would be responsible to do maintenance themselves.
He said that Lido negotiations had “taken up a huge amount of time” but that he hoped that it would soon be “a well-run community lido that people can all be proud of and isn’t so much of a political football”.
Deborah Maindonald, director of First Point Property Services, said: “We are honoured to be entrusted with this much-loved part of Jersey’s heritage.
“Our aim is to preserve the Lido’s distinctive character while making it more accessible for community use and charitable initiatives. We look forward to sharing further details in the near future.”
