Brighton and Hove school children under the age of 18 will be able to swim for free at Saltdean Lido this summer.
The lido has partnered with Brighton and Hove City Council to provide a voucher scheme for those registered for full-time education in the city.
The vouchers can be picked up from schools or at the Saltdean Lido reception, and can be used until 31 August 2023.
The vouchers are available for all general, family and half-day lido sessions, but they cannot be used when booking online.
Derek Leaver, chairman of Saltdean Lido CIC said: “Every time families come, just ask for another voucher.
“Parents can turn up with their children and ask for vouchers on the gate, fill it out and get a free swim for the children.
“There is no where else like this in Brighton. The Sea Lanes pool opening tomorrow is very much sports based.
“This is an outdoor heated pool, where you can sunbathe on the grass. It’s a safe, fenced off area with lifeguards to look after them in the water.
“It’s all about getting people out exercising and enjoying the sun.”
The council provides free swimming to school children in council-run pools across the city, but has made money equivalent to around 7,000 child’s swims available to Saltdean Lido.
Currently the scheme only applies to school children within the Brighton and Hove City Council area.
Mr Leaver said: “We’ve raised it with Lewes Council and Telscombe Council.
“Their challenge is that if they introduced it in Saltdean they’d have to introduce to a much bigger area.”
The lido reopened for the season on Wednesday, 17 May after a delay due to a water leak needing repair.
Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company, who run the lido, say restoration to the art deco building on site is ongoing, with work by the volunteer-led team is reaching its final fit-out stage.
When the restoration is complete the site will feature a café, library, gym and community space.
For more information as well as terms and conditions click here.
Hi Saltdean Team, please can you confirm that this fab offer is also open to children who are educated under EOTAS or educated at home? This is also full time education other than at school. Thanks so much, Pippa Hodge (Parents & Carers Council & EOTAS Parent)
Hi Philippa Hodge,
Yes all children and students up to the age of 18 under EOTAS or educated at home, or at college in the Brighton and Hove City are also eligible and very welcome. We also have a poolside hoist should any visitor need help with access into the water.
Shame it’s not open to everyone under 18 who actually lives in Brighton and Hove. Why on earth would you base it on school and not where you live?
Yes E Witt, it is a shame we couldn’t extend the scheme to more people. There are several reasons – some technical, some practical but mainly just a limitation on what the volunteer team currently restoring Saltdean Lido can achieve at any one time. The great news is that this year we are able to provide over 7000 free swims for children at our open air heated pool while restoration work on the main building continues. Hopefully Brighton and Hove City Council will provide the funding to us again next year at which time we will absolutely try to go out to a wider group of people.
When will the pool be open to all?
This is a great offer. Thank you.
Do the children need to be accompanied by an adult? My daughter is 14 and would like to go with her friends. They are strong swimmers so we would be happy for them to go unaccompanied.
Great news but does it mean a slot can’t be booked online? Aware slots can be fullybooked and don’t want to risk travelling there and be turned away. Or do we book the adult ticket online and just bring the children and ask for a voucher upon entry please,?
Will it be like last year when a group of 15 mobile people just walked in for free and took over the place drinking and smoking while the teenage staff were unable to do anything?
This sounds great and is well intentioned but is pretty pointless and actually potentially very disappointing for children. The lido is often fully booked at weekends and school holidays – especially once its warm when you generally need to book well in advance. I predict lots of disappointed children if parents turn up.
It’s not really an activity you want to take children to on the off chance there are spaces.
What was the point in refurbishing this again? They know the beach is just down the road, right?
I am aware you have hoisting facilities, but may I ask if you also have suitable changing spaces for a fully disabled young man?
Also, is there a minimum temperature that the pool regulates at?
Many thanks