DROITWICH will receive up to £400,000 worth of investment in the lido and a future brine attraction after permission for officers to broker deals was given by members of Wychavon District Council’s executive board on Wednesday (November 25).
Of that funding, £200,000 will be put towards Wychavon Leisure taking on the running of the lido on a new long-term deal until 2031.
The not-for profit organisation has been running the lido since it re-opened in 2007, but over the last five years has only had a rolling 12-month agreement with the council, which meant it was unable to invest in the pool and improve it.
In contrast, the centres Wychavon Leisure already has on long-term contracts to 2031 have already benefited from significant investment.
The council currentlu pays £30,000-a-year to run the lido, along with extra expense covering any shortfall between income and running costs. The deals the officers have been told to agree with Wychavon Leisure will see those costs lowered and the district council says, under the new arrangement, that bill to itself would be uld be significantly less. A £200,000 fund from BMI Healthcare, which the council secured when the company closed the brine baths for breaking its lease, will be used to fund the new agreement.
And, in another coup for the Spa, councillors agreed to make another £200,000 available to support any future proposal to restore the town’s brine baths which closed in 2009. That funding will be accessible provided the submitted plan is commercially led, viable and deliverable.
Coun Lynne Duffy, Wychavon District Council’s portfolio holder for resources, said the move would provide a significant investment in Droitwich’s leisure facilities.
“It will give Wychavon Leisure the security it needs to further invest and improve the lido for residents and visitors, while we’re also maintaining our commitment to support any viable proposal to restore the town’s brine baths.”
Peter Williams, Wychavon Leisure’s managing director, added: “We are delighted the council has made a decision that will enable Wychavon Leisure to make long-term plans to improve facilities and services at the lido for the benefit of our customers.”
Coun Richard Morris, who is in the process of setting up a group aimed at maximising the potential of the town’s brine heritage, described it as ‘very good news’.
“With the timeframe approaching on the £200,000 from BMI it makes sense to secure the future of our unique and valued lido and start discussions with Wychavon Leisure over the longer contract.
“With the guarantee of a further £200,000 to support a viable brine bath facility we have a real opportunity to honour the town’s brine heritage.
“We need viable plans to come forward,” he added.
