THE LIDO’S OPENING CONTINUES TO BE DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC.
Our first responsibility is to keep our customers and staff safe, and to follow government guidance, so we still cannot give you a new opening date.
We are desperately disappointed that swimming pools remain closed despite the latest easing of lockdown restrictions in England. Pool operators like us throughout the country have been working so hard behind the scenes to prepare a safe environment for visitors. We know that swimming in a well-maintained, chlorinated pool attended by lifeguards carries low risk, and that swimming is beneficial for mental health as well as physical fitness across all ages and much missed by so many of you.
In response to the latest government announcement, Swim England has created the #OpenOurPools campaign. You can find out more on their website and you can get involved in keeping hope alive for the reopening of Chipping Norton Lido, as well as pools up and down the country, by:
signing the petition
posting support for the campaign on social media (using the #OpenOurPools hashtag)
writing to our MP, Robert Courts (Swim England’s suggested text is included below for you to copy but please do personalise your message for greater impact)
We are still busy maintaining The Lido and planning how we can open when the time comes. We continue to manage our finances as prudently as we can during this unforeseen closed period to protect our long-term future. We really look forward to seeing you all back here very soon.
“Dear Mr Courts,
RE: #OpenOurPools
I am writing to you as my Member of Parliament to ask you to write to the Prime Minister to urge him to reopen swimming pools on the 4 July.
As a regular swimmer at Chipping Norton Lido, swimming is a key part of my physical and mental wellbeing. I’ve been unable to get in the water for over three months but accepted this as necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
However, it is incredibly frustrating to see swimming ignored, even as the Prime Minister announced that pubs and hairdressers are able to reopen as part of a further relaxation of lockdown restrictions. That’s why I’m backing Swim England’s #OpenOurPools campaign.
The Government has repeatedly claimed that physical activity is a key part of getting through the current situation, yet this option is not available for the millions of people who swim every year, including many thousands who struggle to be active on land because of health conditions.
Swim England has produced guidance detailing how people can get back in the water in a safe, controlled manner, which makes the decision to delay the reopening of pools even more frustrating.
Please write to the Prime Minister to raise these concerns on behalf of the thousands of swimmers in your constituency who are desperate to get back into the water and urge the Prime Minister to reconsider his decision not to reopen our pools.
Yours sincerely,”