The story of Blackpool's much-loved pool with dingy changing rooms where generations learned to swim

The Lido Pool on Lytham Road in South Shore, was once a well-used and familiar part of the town’s leisure scene.

First opened in the 1920s, it served generations of local residents as a place to swim, learn, and gather. The building housed a main pool and a smaller learner pool, welcoming school groups, swimming clubs, and families for decades. Local people still fondly remember the vending machine where you could buy chicken soup and the changing rooms that were dingy and cold.

Above the baths, the ballroom provided space for dances, concerts, and community events, making the Lido more than just a swimming facility — it was a local landmark with many uses. The site was modernised in the early 1990s with updated pools and changing rooms, but by the early 2000s, rising costs and changing demand led to its closure.

The Lido was demolished in 2006. Though it’s now home to the Blackpool Enterprise Centre, the name "Lido" still sparks quiet recognition among those who remember its role in the town’s everyday life.

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