Campaigners are still hoping to restore Ipswich's Broomhill Lido as £3.4million in core funding is still in place.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has confirmed it remains committed to the project for the town, even after a bid to the government's Levelling Up Fund to get the final chunk of cash needed was unsuccessful.

Ipswich Star: The team of the Broomhill Pool Trust, NewsquestThe team of the Broomhill Pool Trust, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dr Daniel Poulter wrote jointly to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, one of the original core backers of the project, to seek reassurances that the £3.4m in core funding is still guaranteed.

In its reply, the Heritage Fund confirmed that it remains committed to the original total pledged as stakeholders continue to seek other funding sources.

The original Broomhill Lido was opened in 1938 but closed in 2002, with the Covid pandemic forcing plans to reopen the pool to be delayed.

Mark Ling, the chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust, said: “It is a most welcome and emphatic response from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Ipswich Star: Mark Ling, chair of Broomhill Pool Trust, NewsquestMark Ling, chair of Broomhill Pool Trust, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

“It strongly reaffirms their intent to keep their funding in place whilst all other funding avenues are explored, and a solution found.

“The fact is that the majority of funding is already in place and this project can be delivered if all parties work together to explore every avenue to bridge the gap.

“As Sir Alf famously said, ‘you’ve won it once, now go out there and win it again’.”

Ipswich Star: MP Tom Hunt, House of CommonsMP Tom Hunt, House of Commons (Image: House of Commons)

Mr Hunt said: “I’m pleased about the response from the National Lottery Heritage Fund about Broomhill Lido.

"The £3.4million they committed to the Broomhill Lido project is still in place despite the Levelling Up Fund setback.

“Meetings will be taking place soon regarding other funding avenues to bridge the shortfall. We’re not giving up.”

Ipswich Star: An architects' impression of the restored Broomhill Pool by KLH Architects, KLH/ Broomhill TrustAn architects' impression of the restored Broomhill Pool by KLH Architects, KLH/ Broomhill Trust (Image: KLH/ Broomhill Trust)

Mr Hunt and Dr Poulter have said they will continue to work together with stakeholders to explore alternative funding avenues to bridge the gap required to get project over the line.