Battle to save the Droitwich Lido lost

A sad day for the town is how SALT - Save a Lido Today - reacted to Wychavon District Council's executive board's decision not to support its plans at yesterday's meeting.

The Tory-dominated board voted unanimously to cease talks with SALT after "strong concerns" about its scheme and the financial viability of the Lido.

The decision was not reached not without a fierce debate, with councillors from all parties expressing strong views.

Conservative councillors Eileen Hope and Terry Spencer, who are also Droitwich town councillors, and Pam Davey who represents the town on Worcestershire County Council, all supported the closure.

"It's time that we moved on and looked for other benefits for the people of Droitwich that would be more suitable," Coun Spencer told the meeting.

But Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors were outraged at the board's decision.

"It's a very regrettable day when this council, having vandalised the site for the past five years, now abandons it and fills it in," said Coun Roy Seabourne.

The public gallery, filled with Droitwich residents, applauded when Coun Graham Gopsill added: "I knew from the start that they would not come up with anything that suited you (the board) because your mind was already made up.

"You have decided to do this and tomorrow the people of Droitwich will know exactly what you think of them."

Speaking after the meeting members of SALT said they were deeply upset at the council's decision, but vowed to fight on.

"This is so disappointing for the town," said chairman Linda Watkins. "It's a sad day. We will not give up."

The board's recommendation will now go to the council's overview and scrutiny committee at a special meeting to be held in Droitwich on Wednesday, February 16 when SALT is hoping the public will get behind it to campaign against the decision.

The board is recommending that the Lido now be demolished and the land incorporated into the rest of the park.