OUR COMMUNITY
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Saltdean Lido urgently needs public cash pledges to help secure the restoration of its iconic Art-Deco building. Exciting plans for the second phase of renovation to the 80-year-old Saltdean lido have been revealed in a public exhibition.  The UK's only Grade II Lido could receive a £4.2million grant by the The UK's only Grade II Lido could receive a £4.2million grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund to rebuild and restore the art deco building, which happens to celebrate its 80th anniversary this year. Plans include: a multi-purpose entertainment ballroom, community centre, a lift, a heritage café and a bigger library. Volunteers now need to raise £104,000 from the public to help secure the grant. This will demonstrate that people want to save the 1938 building from dereliction and need the new facilities. The lido's heritage director, Deryck Chester said it was about breathing new life into this much-loved building and making it relevant for current generations. The lido had never been financially sustainable, ever since it closed in 1940 because of the war. The regeneration plan will save the listed building part whilst retaining community access.  He added: “We're so lucky to have one of the UK's most famous lido's in the UK right on our doorstep. It would be a travesty to lose this amazing building at the final hurdle - especially when the Heritage Lottery Fund, and other grantors will hopefully put up the rest of the money making this phase relevant to current generations. There would also be community and heritage events held at the new building". "If people don't pledge to support this part of the project, it will make the rest of the funding inaccessible." “There are many exciting parts to this restoration which includes a heritage café which celebrates Saltdean Lido's unique history. It’s so important to give people access to the building again, and a lift will help make this happen. We're also going to putting back a spiral staircase (removed in the 60s), which will connect the café to the first rotunda, tea decks and ballroom. There will also be a community manager who will develop an entertainment programme which will take place at the site throughout the year." The first phase of restoration was the lido pool, which reopened last year and attracted 37,000 visitors in 99 days. The second phase includes restoring the rotunda cafe overlooking the pool and creating a new heritage cafe downstairs. The crowdfunding campaign focuses on the heritage café and its connection to the rest of the building. If people don't pledge to support this part of the project, it will make the rest of the funding inaccessible. “We have a rare opportunity to save this iconic symbol of our region. In a few years time, I want us all to be proud of a fully restored Saltdean Lido which has a - recreated - neon-lit Art Deco sign, reminding us that the community and local businesses helped make this happen. If this doesn't happen we will be left with a derelict building which cannot be demolished for many years.“ PLEDGE YOUR DONATION TODAY!To pledge your donation to Saltdean Lido’s Art Deco building restoration, go to: https://saltdeanlido.org. Please remember that your pledged donation/cheque will not come out of your account until the project is successful.  |
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