THE oldest open air freshwater pool in the UK is set to finally reopen.
Pells Pool in Book street, Lewes is set to reopen on the May 8. The swimming pool will be opening but will be affected by the government’s covid restrictions.
Conrad Ryle, chair of the Pells Pool Community Association said:
"We are delighted to be able to open up in early May as usual. We look forward to welcoming people back to the Pells. We've kept the booking system in place so people can be certain of getting spaces, since we necessarily have limited numbers admitted per session.
"We continue to run the pool so it is covid secure and socially distanced. We can offer the paddling pool and changing rooms once again. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy time with us."
There will be a restriction to the number of swimmers that will be allowed per session. For adult lanes and the Adult Gentle Swim sessions there will be a maximum of 50. For family sessions there will be a limit of 150.
After suggestions to a survey, the pool will be adding adult quiet gentle swims sessions with no lanes and will also be welcoming unaccompanied children over the age of ten. Using the advance booking system, people can book their tickets online or in person at the kiosk from April 29.
Pells Pool has also cut prices. Three-hour family sessions have been reduced by 20 per cent. There has also been the introduction of a 25 per cent concession for adults on Universal Credit. People can arrive ready for their swim or change on the lawns or on the changing rooms.
There have been some changes made to the pool. The paving that surrounds the water have been replaced as part of annual work, the slabs that are next to the kiosk will also be renewed this spring.
As part of the reopening the paddling pool will be opened for family sessions. The kiosk will also be open so people can purchase food and refreshments. There are also some events already planned for the summer including midnight swims, film screenings and the Midsummer madness party.
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