New spaces for young people and the community at Tinside Lido

New spaces for young people and the community are now officially open at Tinside Lido, paving the way for year-round use of one of Plymouth’s most iconic waterfront landmarks.

The lido, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, has been carefully restored and reimagined as part of the UK’s first National Marine Park, with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Horizons Award, the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund and Levelling Up Fund and Plymouth City Council.

The project has transformed underused areas of the Grade II-listed Art Deco building, safeguarding it for future generations while creating new opportunities for people to connect with Plymouth Sound.

It has brought the first floor of the lido back into use as a flexible, multi-purpose space for youth activities, digital learning, training and events, supported by a new kitchen and bar facility. The sun terrace has been revitalised with a café pod and a pop-up event space with ramped access to ensure everyone can enjoy the views across Plymouth Sound.

Securing the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund 3 and Youth Investment Funding helped articulate the facility provisions for young people to support their confidence, skills, and development. This includes activating waterside activities around the youth outreach and water sports hub, which is now the single-storey building, as well as youth progression activities in the main building. The building provides both pool and cove access, has been remodelled to provide a youth space with improved accessibility and changing facilities. The outcome is a truly transformative project that provides facilities for youth and communities whilst expanding on commercial opportunities linked to the Lido itself.

Plymouth Active, which operates Tinside Lido in partnership with the Council, also welcomed the project’s completion, noting its significance for the future of the lido and its commitment to giving every child in Plymouth the opportunity to learn to swim.

Rhys Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Plymouth Active, said:

“We’re delighted to see these new spaces at Tinside Lido open for the community. Tinside is a vital part of our mission to give every child in Plymouth the chance to learn to swim and develop a love for the water. The new facilities also open up opportunities for events and activities that will help sustain Tinside for future generations.”

The restoration also paves the way for new uses to support the lido’s long-term sustainability, with the potential to host silent discos, open-air cinema events and weddings, generating income that will help sustain free and low-cost youth activities beyond the five-year Heritage Horizons Award period.

Originally opened in 1935 and refurbished for the first time in 2005, Tinside’s careful preservation and transformation is a testament to the city’s commitment to adapting its historic assets for modern needs. The substantial repairs and improvements carried out as part of this project ensure that Tinside will continue to be a much-loved feature of Plymouth’s waterfront while supporting the health, wellbeing and aspirations of young people in Britain’s Ocean City.

Importantly, the substantial renovation and repair of the building—funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, UK Government and Plymouth City Council—safeguards the Tinside Lido complex for the future.