Hilsea Lido to reopen this summer after £7.75 million upgrade

Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth will reopen on May 2 after a roughly £7.75 million refurbishment; the site has been closed since 2022.

Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth is due to reopen on May 2 after being closed since 2022. The site was refurbished in a project reported to cost about £7.75 million. Operators Sea Lanes Brighton and South Downs Leisure took on the site last year. The reopening also marks the lido's 90th anniversary. Key details: - The refurbishment includes a refurbished pool, new changing rooms, benches, tables and a fountain, and a food and drink pop-up on site. - The pool will remain 67 metres long and 13 metres wide and is reported as 2.6 metres deep. - Memberships are being offered ahead of launch, including a 'Founder' membership at £40 per month for the first 500 people; reported standard swim-and-sauna fees are £52 per month on a rolling contract or £48 on a 12-month contract, with swim-only options and pay-per-session prices also stated. - Opening hours will be 6am–9pm Monday to Thursday, 6am–8pm on Fridays, and 7am–7pm on weekends. - Local leaders and the lido manager described the site as intended to serve as a community hub and noted the reopening will affect the north of the city. Summary: The refurbishment returns a long-closed local facility to use and coincides with the lido's 90th year. Reports say the May 2 reopening and the availability of advance memberships are planned ahead of the summer season.