Stunning buildings and pool with columns and a magnificent domed entrance. The concourse measured a third of a mile. The scene of beauty contests, swimming galas and host to half a million visitors in its first full year. Replaced by something that looks like in landed from another planet and not in a good way.
| Name | South Shore Open Air Bath aka South Promenade Bathing Pool The Promenade. Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1BB |
| Built / opened | Opened 9th June 1923 |
| Cost | £70,000 |
| Dimensions | 376′ x 170′ |
| Capacity | 1,600,000 gallons, 1,500 bathers |
| Water type | Filtered seawater |
| Depth(s) | Diving pit 15′ |
| Diving boards | Seven boards including 3m springboards, 7.5m board and the highest being 10m |
| Changing facilities | 574 |
| Second pool | No, curved section close to buildings were shallow for children |
| Spectator seating | 3,000 outside. Building capacity 5,000 seats. |
| Designer | John Charles Robinson, Council Architect and Francis Wood, Borough Engineer and Surveyor |
| Date closed | 1981 |
| Status | Demolished February 1983 |
| On site now | Sandcatle Waterpark, built 1986 for £11m |
| Notes | 1. Original plans after WWI was to build two rectangular pools at either end of the promenade but plans shelved due to curbs on expenditure by councils. 2. Demolition costs amounted to £500,000 3. Case study in “Liquid Assets” P. 62 4. The term “lido” was not is use when this pool was opened 5. Hosted the 1924 British Olympic swimming trials |
| Links | Women’s swimming & diving trials for 1928 Olympics – Blackpool (youtube.com) Old cine film from the 1970’s on YouTube |
This image of the Sandcastle Waterpark from 1986 shows the original outer wall of the old pool still in situ. Some appears to remain in 2024 but either end has been lost to a car park and hard standing.
A great model of the pool at Brooks Collectables and Toy Museum, 7 Waterloo Road, Blackpool.
