London Fields lido finally set to reopen

The London Fields lido will finally reopen on September 30, after being closed for the whole summer for “unavoidable” repairs to cracking tiles.

The town hall closed the pool in April and initially said it would be open again by “late summer”. But problems removing materials beneath the tiles have slowed the work.

After encountering the delays, the town hall brought in a specialist excavator and extra staff to finish the job.

As well as repairing the tiling, contractors have given the changing rooms and reception area a complete makeover.

The changing rooms will still have separate male and female areas and will provide lockers, showers, mirrors and hair dryers as well as private changing cubicles and baby change facilities.

Community services chief Cllr Jon Burke said: “I am delighted returning and new users will be able to enjoy better, more modern and accessible facilities when it reopens on 30 September; and obviously we will reopen it sooner if we can.

“I understand people were disappointed that the Lido had to close, and it is frustrating that some delays were encountered throughout the renovations.

“Delays are not uncommon with complicated building work but we have been working very hard with the contractor to re-open the lido as quickly as possible.

“Extra workers and specialist equipment has been brought in and a canopy built over the pool so the works can continue when it rains.

“My priority is to ensure the works are completed to the highest standard possible, to provide a long-term, sustainable future for this important community asset.”

The pool closed in April after industry experts identified problems with the screed layer between the pool tank and the render holding the tiles.

Originally Hackney Council had planned to do the work over the winter months when pool use is lower – but after putting the work out to tender was unable to find anyone up to the job, meaning the Lido stayed open until the spring.

An independent firm has been sent samples of the pool materials to work out why they began falling apart so soon after the pool’s 2006 refurb, the Gazette understands. Test results are expected at the end of September.