London Fields Lido to close until summer

London Fields Lido. Photograph: Peter Smith

London Fields Lido is to close on 10 April until the summer to allow ‘urgent repairs’ to be carried out on the swimming pool.

Last year, tiles started to crack and peel away from the pool wall.

Temporary wall barriers were installed to protect swimmers as the council sought a contractor to carry out the repairs. The Town Hall says this appointment is now in its “final stages”.

The council will use the pool’s closure to upgrade the indoor changing rooms and main reception area.

The new changing rooms, which will retain separate male and female areas, will now include storage lockers and private cubicles.

There will also be showers, mirrors and hairdryers, as well as baby change facilities.

Town Hall community chief Jon Burke said: “I understand that closing the Lido will be frustrating for regular users, but the works are essential and the risks will be minimised if they are undertaken during the warmer weather.

“Taking care to ensure the work is conducted in the best circumstances also we have been able to get Lido users’ input on the designs for the refurbished indoor changing rooms and reception area.

“The new design maintains separate male and female changing areas and also significantly improves current facilities through the inclusion of lockers, individual shower and changing cubicles, and changing and baby change facilities for families.

“This means swimmers will be able to enjoy better, more modern facilities when the Lido reopens in summer 2017.”

An exact date for the reopening is yet to be confirmed.