Beccles Lido welcomes swimmers as UK heatwave hits

After a slow start to the summer season, bosses at Beccles Lido say they are pleased to see the sun has finally made a return as well as larger visitor numbers.

Their delight at seeing the sun beaming down and children making a splash at the lido follows fears that low visitor numbers earlier in the summer would impact on future projects at the site.

Matt Day, general manager of Beccles Lido, said: “In June and the beginning of July, our visitor numbers were down by 60pc and our income was similar.”

"We nearly had to put a hold on October’s projects. We don’t make a profit as any extra income goes into new projects to improve the lido for our customers.”

The old awning is to be replaced with a new canopy in an upcoming project (Image: Newsquest) But now there is more a positive vibe at the venue.

Speaking on Monday when the temperature was in the high 20s, Mr Day said: “In the last four weeks, the sun has been out, and we are now sitting on an average amount of visitors for the time of year again.

Families making the most of the warm weather (Image: © Archant 2012)

READ MORE: Beccles Lido to make improvements before summer season

“We are over the moon and looking forward to more hot weather ahead.

“We are fully booked today, and nearly fully booked tomorrow as well, so we are opening extra sessions to accommodate.”

In June, the lido revealed major upgrade plans including a new canopy to provide shelter, and the installation of dozens of new solar panels.

Mr Day expressed his delight that the projects are to go ahead following the recent hot weather.

Beccles Lido is also home to a rare feature for a public pool - an Olympic-standard 1m springboard.

“The board was purchased from the same company that served the London 2012 and Toyko 2020 Olympics,” Mr Day said.

People using the Olympic-standard springboard (Image: ©Archant 2013)

For those who wish to try something different, they are also running the Big Dog Ferry, which offers a three-mile boat trip along the River Waveney, alongside canoe, kayak, and paddleboard hires.