Tinside Lido celebrates 80th birthday

Plymouth’s spectacular Tinside Lido will be celebrating its 80th birthday in style with a weekend full of 1930s vintage charm.

Visitors to the art deco complex on Saturday 12 and 13 September will be able to step back in time and enjoy a cream tea at poolside café, with music from the era and staff dressed in 1930s swimwear and lifeguard uniforms.

Entry will cost just one penny all weekend – the same as when Tinside first opened on 2 October 1935.

It began life as the Ladies’ Bathing Place, before plans were rolled out to develop the foreshore and provide a salt water lido that could be enjoyed by the many people flocking to Plymouth’s waterfront to fill their leisure hours.

Owned by Plymouth City Council and managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active, it is one of only 12 listed lidos in the UK and has been voted one of the best outdoor pools in Europe.

The birthday celebrations form part of this year’s Ocean City Festival, which will run from 5 to 27 September. They will also mark the end of this year’s summer season at the pool.

David Greenwood, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “This is a milestone event for Tinside Lido and we’re really looking forward to celebrating such a special feature of Plymouth. This will be a great opportunity for us to look back on the history of Tinside Lido and appreciate its success over the years. The event will offer families a great day out and we hope to see lots of people joining us for the festivities.”

Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith said: “Tinside was – and still is – one of the most spectacular and iconic outdoor pools in the country. People of all ages will have fond memories of swimming and sunbathing there and we look forward to taking a nostalgic look back at the pool over the years as we celebrate its 80th birthday.”

Tinside will be open from 10am until 6pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September. If the lido gets particularly busy Everyone Active may operate sessions to ensure everyone can take part in the celebrations.

For more information about the event call 01752 261915. Further details of this year’s Ocean City Festival can be found at www.oceancityfestival.co.uk.