The public tried to save the pool with protests but to no avail. Instead doors were barred and bolted to visitors leaving the facility abandoned and awaiting its fate. In the background there were plans to turn the old Olympic pool into an ultra-modern seaside complex but as we know, that didn’t happen and the building was eventually pulled down. The photos capture how eerily quiet it must have been after the doors shut as well as some from happier times. Tessa Snelson said: “It was such a lovely building but sadly needed a lot of work. Leaking pools etc. It was still hard to watch it go to ruins afterwards with some many breaking in after it closed.” 21 rarely seen photos of Blackpool's much-loved Derby Baths from the 1980s
1. Abandoned Derby Baths
The Black Hole - the water had been replaced by debris in this photo in the months between the closure of the pool and when demolition began Photo: National World
2. Abandoned Derby Baths
The changing rooms. One of the doors is propped up on the side - a far cry from the bustling days of the pool in its heyday Photo: National World
3. Abandoned Derby Baths
Lane dividers discarded at the side of the pool in this photo Photo: National World
4. Abandoned Derby Baths
The pool completely empty of water - for the last time Photo: National World
5. Abandoned Derby Baths
This was under the pool. There was a maze of tunnels where the water was pumped through Photo: National World
6. Abandoned Derby Baths
A pool brush cast aside with mats and debris littering the pool area Photo: National World