January News: AGM Follow-up

Welcome to the latest BLU newsletter.

Firstly, thank you to the lido staff for another hard year of work in what was a hot and busy year at the lido. As always, thank you to the team who came in on Christmas Day to ensure that so many swimmers got to have a Christmas swim. It is always much

appreciated.

As we write this on a chilly January morning the pool temperature has dipped below 3.0 degrees. Be safe out there: although the lido staff are putting grit down, there can still be patches of ice where pool water has gathered. Don't stay in too long, even if you think you feel fine, and get changed quickly once you're out. Every year cold snaps catch out swimmers and the best advice is to cut back on time in the water, play it safe and plan ahead for getting into your warm togs as quickly as possible. If you'd like tips on safe winter swimming there are lots of useful resources here.

Don't forget that the Lido Cafe has a stash of hot water bottles they are happy to fill for free and lend out to help you warm up and remember that lido users get a discount at the cafe.

Congratulations to Girly Dips for their happy gatherings at the lido. You can follow the group on Instagram to find out more dates when they are meeting this year.

We've also got good news on pricing: Fusion has agreed to hold 2025 pricing levels in 2026.

AGM - FOLLOW UP

In November 2025, the AGM was held in the Whippersnappers space at the Lido – here are the key takeaways:

Fusion Lifestyle

Mark Rogers (Fusion) explained why the promised refurbishment had not yet come to fruition. The Large Business Interruption Loan scheme (Covid loan) of £13m, expired in May 2025 and there is not yet a resolution to secure an agreement with the bank. This lack of agreement is preventing Fusion from filing its accounts. Mark added that there would be a meeting with the bank on the 28th November, where he expects a resolution, which he hoped would mean that the accounts can be filed (they have not yet been filed), and funding secured for promised investments, including refurbishing the gym, renovating the wet and dry side changing rooms and installing a new sauna. He stressed that Fusion would have gone ahead with these improvements if they had been able to. He noted both the improvements and issues outstanding at the Lido:

Improvements:

• Increase in members

• Increase in targeted participation e.g. over 65s

• Additional full-time technician

• Booking and programming

• £185K increasing in staffing costs/expenditure

• £751K surplus for the period April 2024 to March 2025

Key issues/themes and actions:

• Cleaning was still an issue and while Fusion have tried to improve this, some of the problems are linked to the state and age of the facilities but cleaning time has increased by 45%

• In January, cleaning resource will be 2 full-time equivalents (FTEs)

• Bert Greenwood, the new regional manager for Fusion and Bryn Taylor, Operations Director for Fusion are looking to support the improvement efforts

• A new cleaning supplier has been engaged

• Deep cleaning will take place on a quarterly basis

BLU Chair

Ben Longman outlined the BLU user survey, noting the report had been sent to all BLU members ahead of the meeting. 150 people had responded. In commenting on the results of the report he emphasised that the replacement for the gym equipment scheduled in April had not been done. He noted that Fusion does not have the ability to run this site properly and that revenues, which are significant, are being used for other means, at the expense of the fabric of the site, staff and customers. He also noted that while it is clear from the survey what the issues are, he would like to talk about what comes next. He asked Lambeth Council to share their continuity plans and advised that BLU were looking at setting up a charity in order to be able to take a more active role in the future of the facility.

BLSC Chair

Marc Meryon noted that BLSC has the right to receive information but no power to insist that anything be done. He also stated that 2025 has been a year of broken promises regarding the refurbishment timetable - and after a site visit by BLSC member in April and raising concerns that the site was in a poor state (cleaning, broken machines issues) that a price increase was made the very next day.

MP Helen Hayes

Helen Hayes thanked the Lido staff, Lambeth and Brockwell user volunteers. She asked how confident was Fusion that there will be a resolution at the end of November and what Lambeth's plan was.

Mark Rogers replied that Fusion is a good charity apart from the issue of the loan and listed the options: loan restructure, acquisition or administration. In the case of needing to go into administration, he stressed that Fusion would work to ensure a long handover period. Simon Harris (Lambeth Council) replied that he had met with the newly appointed director and was confident that the facility would remain open.

BLU Committee departures and nominations

Ian Matthews (secretary), Stephen Trowell (treasurer) and Robin McIver stepped down from the BLU committee and we thank them for all their hard work. After the elections, we welcomed new members to the BLU Committee.

UPDATES AND NEWS

BLU has applied for charitable status (i.e. to become a charity). The process will take a few months and, if we are successful, will enable BLU to adopt a more substantive presence in terms of things like potential fundraising and community engagement.

BLU members via the steering committee (BLSC) continue to meet with Lambeth Council and Fusion each month so if there are things you want to raise you can always let us know. Some good news: Fusion has told us in the latest BLSC meeting (December 2025) that there will be no price increases in 2026.

Site fixtures and improvements: Paving slabs have been fixed; lockers fixed, turnstiles fixed

Outstanding issues: outdoor saunas are not working; the disabled door is still not working (new contractor has been found so we have been assured this will be fixed); 2 gym cable machines out of action; 1 cross trainer out of action; 1 treadmill out of action.

WANT TO JOIN US?

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. We want the lido to continue being our very own “oasis in the city”, readily accessible to everyone in the local community and with clean and well-maintained facilities.

We cannot do this without you! We need your help to keep the pressure on Lambeth and Fusion and if you have skills, to help us with our community venture, please contact us.