THESE pictures reveal the inside of a derelict lido that has been virtually untouched in the last 70 years.

People were invited to join a tour of the Saltdean Lido site before restoration work begins to transform it back to its former glory.

The tour, led by Deryck Chester who is a director at the Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company (SLCIC), gave a fascinating snapshot of the lido’s grand beginnings in 1938, but also the ambitious plans to make it financially viable so it “never falls into disrepair again”.

In 2013 the lido was saved from development which would have seen the space turned into 102 flats. Instead, Brighton and Hove City Council announced that SLCIC had won the tender to take on a 63-year lease of the site.

The 40 metre pool tank was tackled first and reopened in 2017, attracting nearly 40,000 visitors in the first year. The lido building will be next.

Brighton and Hove City Council planning committee granted new applications for planning and listed building consent for the Grade II listed Art Deco site on August 4 this year.

The lido was inspired by German and French architecture and is described by Deryck as a “utopian space that demands your attention”.

The Argus: West side of the south-facing sun deck, which will have views over the pool.West side of the south-facing sun deck, which will have views over the pool.

The building will feature various meeting rooms, a bar, coffee lounge, restored library, heritage learning zone and lots of space for activities. The aim is to return it to its former glory and allow the building and pool to work in tandem again.

Part of this work to connect it all up is to restore the spiral staircase which was blocked off years ago. The staircase will act as a centre piece to the building and connect up all the “decks” and add to the cruise ship-like feel.

The ballroom on the first floor will be opened up, allowing light to flood into the open plan space, which will be available for event hire.

The Argus: Left is the first floor ballroom currently, featuring the 1960s stage. Right shows what the ballroom will look like after the refurbishment.Left is the first floor ballroom currently, featuring the 1960s stage. Right shows what the ballroom will look like after the refurbishment.

Deryck said another aim is to try to ensure the lido is financially viable by having “multiple income streams”.

He added: “We think it will be nice addition to the city’s tourism, it is the only Grade II* listed lido in the UK and it belongs to Brighton. That is something really to be celebrated.

“It always did feature in the city’s tourism strategy and it has been included again now that we’re restoring it.

The Argus: The old pipe room. The huge space will be cleared and transformed into a room for activities.The old pipe room. The huge space will be cleared and transformed into a room for activities.

“There is a sinking fund which means from the profits we will have to put in a certain percentage so that it will never be allowed to fall into disrepair again."

The initial work, starting on Monday, will be to remove the large amount of asbestos in the building.

The majority of the restoration will take place next year with the planned work hopefully finished by late summer 2023.

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