By Douglas Simpson
A POPULAR UK Lido in Surrey is due to remain open all winter under new management.
Guildford Lido, the Spectrum and Ash Manor Sports Centre, in Guildford, Surrey, are all coming under new management.
The change will see the Lido, water play area and re-designed gym open for longer.
PROCUREMENT EXERCISE
The Lido was closed in November last year for renovation but has since reopened.
Guildford Borough Council has announced it hopes to award a new leisure service contract to Wealden Leisure, trading as Freedom Leisure.
An existing contract that oversees the management and delivery of services at Guildford Spectrum, Guildford Lido and Ash Manor sports Centre is set to expire in October.
The council said it undertook a “robust” procurement exercise to secure a future operator from November this year.
FREEDOM LEISURE PROPOSAL
Freedom Leisure proposed almost 拢10 million worth of investment into the leisure sites.
For the first time since 2020 year round swimming at the Lido could also be included.
Freedom Leisure proposed operating the pool during the suimmer and between 7am and 9pm during winter months.
This would be subject to external lighting being installed at the facility.
THE NEW CONTRACT
The new contract would see the winning tenderer commit to paying an average annual management fee of approximately 拢2.5 million over a decade long period.
The current operator paid the council just 拢1.1 million in 2024/2025.
The council currently sorts out the utility bills for the operator with rates agreed when the contract was signed in November 2011.
New arrangements would see the tenderer organise its own utilities bill.
The council would be responsible for any additional costs or savings.
A key risk of the new contract is the potential for a significant increase in utility bills meaning extra costs for the council.
If the council does not agree to fund the investment in leisure, the operator would either not deliver on its promises or would have to find funding somewhere else.
The proposed contractor still has a number of hurdles to get over before being handed the facilities.
A final decision is due to be made at the end of July but before then councillors will interrogate the agreement and quiz the provider.