Droitwich Spa Lido upgrade

The final decision on the future of the Lido redevelopment sits with the democratically elected councillors of Wychavon.

While Droitwich Spa Place Board helped shape the early feasibility work and provided valuable advisory input, it is not a decision-making body. The initial feasibility study itself was jointly commissioned by us and the Place Board and funded by us.

The £8 million figure shared in November 2024 was a high-level estimate based on early concept designs intended to illustrate what could be achieved at the site – this is what is technically known as Royal Institute of British Architects Stage (RIBA) one.

We shared this figure even though we knew it would change, to help people make an informed opinion about the vision we were proposing. The scheme shown to the public during that period was never intended to be the final scheme and it was always our belief the project would change and evolve based on your feedback and other information gathered along the way.

As the project has progressed into more detailed design stages (RIBA 2), architects and engineers have carried out further technical assessments, accessibility reviews and site investigations. This has provided a much clearer understanding of the work required to successfully deliver the redevelopment. This is a normal part of major redevelopment projects.

This work has also uncovered £6 million of maintenance and upgrades that need to be completed to keep the Lido operation, regardless of whether we carry out the wider project. 

So, while the overall cost has risen, this is due to the £6 million of maintenance work. If we remove that from the overall figure, then we are actually delivering new and enhanced facilities for £6.5 million - less than the £8 million we estimated in November 2024. So costs haven't spiralled, it’s just we now have more detail and a better understanding of what the project involves.

The project has now moved into the detailed design phase of the RIBA process (stage 3 and 4).

At this stage, technical challenges, site constraints, accessibility requirements and engineering considerations are examined in much greater detail. Detailed survey work is also underway to provide greater cost certainty before construction begins. This is crucial detail that will be needed before we submit a planning application.

Yes. As part of the detailed survey process, we have identfied £6 million worth of maintenance and upgrades that need to be carried out just to keep the Lido operation. These were issues we did not know about in November 2024 and has added extra cost.

For example, surveys uncovered concerns relating to the condition of electrical systems serving the café and changing facilities. These systems will now need upgrading as part of the wider redevelopment.

Feedback from residents and stakeholders has directly influenced the scheme.

One of the strongest themes raised from feedback gathered during November 2024 was the need for improved accessibility and better changing facilities. In response, the project now includes a full refurbishment of the changing rooms and showers, including enhanced accessible facilities.

The scheme marks the return of a brine bath to Droitwich Spa for the first time in 20 years – something local campaigners have lobbied over for more than a decade. It will also be larger than originally proposed.

The updated proposals also include improvements to parking, not included in the November 2024 concept design and safer pedestrian access into the site.

A shower will now be attached to the Brine Bath, in addition to one on the first floor – a direct request of Droitwich Spa Place Board.

The café will be also be larger than originally proposed, although it will be staying in its current location.

The scheme has evolved from the original proposal - based on feedback from the public and stakeholders and new technical information we weren’t aware of in November 2024 - but it hasn’t been reduced. It still delivers everything outlined during the consultation phase, along with some new additions, with only minor refinements made to improve deliverability and manage costs.

The most significant change relates to the location of the café.

The original concept proposed moving the café to the south end of the site. However, detailed investigations identified several significant challenges with this approach.

These included:

• The need to reroute utilities
• Potential impacts on Lido Park
• Increased risk of failing to get planning permission
• Challenges pumping sewage uphill to the café, which would add cost and complexity to the project in order to overcome
• Operational and security challenges of having a dual entrance café serving both the park and lido, which would add complexity and cost to overcome.
• Accessibility concerns raised by the pubic about the distance of the relocated café from parking areas

Following further assessment, we decided the additional cost and complexity of relocating the café outweighed the benefits.

Although the café is staying in its current position, it will be made larger which was not in the original proposal.

The updated proposals include:

• An enlarged café in its existing location
• A new snack kiosk serving both Lido users and park visitors
• A new upper-floor bistro overlooking the pool within the Art Deco building

This approach continues to deliver the original vision for enhanced hospitality facilities across the site.

Yes. Accessibility improvements are a key part of the scheme and have been shaped directly by feedback from the public.

Improvements include enhanced accessible changing facilities, improved site circulation, safer pedestrian access and upgraded customer facilities throughout the site.

The redevelopment includes improvements to the existing car park as well as a safer entrance into the Lido from Worcester Road, including a dedicated footpath.

These changes respond directly to feedback from the public.

Wychavon Leisure, which operates the Lido on our behalf, supports the proposals and has developed a business case which indicates the investment will help secure the long-term sustainability of the facility.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Alliance Leisure, a specialist leisure development company with more than 25 years’ experience delivering public-sector leisure and wellbeing projects across the UK.

We also have officers with significant in-house experience of successfully delivering major capital and regeneration schemes over more than 30 years – many of which are being enjoyed by our residents around the district today.

We appointed specialist partners to support the project using an established public-sector procurement framework.

Frameworks are commonly used across local government and the wider public sector. They are fully compliant procurement routes that have already been through extensive competitive tendering processes in line with UK procurement regulations.

Using a framework allows councils to:

• Access specialist expertise quickly and efficiently
• Ensure suppliers have already met strict quality and compliance standards
• Reduce procurement costs and delays
• Improve value for money for taxpayers

The framework used for this project was specifically designed for public-sector leisure and wellbeing developments.

Public-sector procurement law allows councils to appoint suppliers through approved frameworks as an alternative to running a standalone tender exercise.

This is a standard and widely used approach across local government, particularly for complex specialist projects where frameworks have already assessed suppliers on experience, technical capability, financial standing and value for money.

We still have to meet governance, audit and procurement rules regardless of which compliant procurement route is used.

We have asked our internal audit team to provide additional assurance regarding project costs and governance arrangements.

The project is also subject to our normal financial oversight, governance procedures and decision-making processes.

We are committed to transparency wherever possible. However, some procurement and commercial information may be legally exempt from publication due to:

• Commercial confidentiality
• Data protection requirements
• Contractual obligations
• Procurement regulations

This is standard practice across public-sector projects and helps protect both taxpayers’ interests and our legal obligations.

Where information can be released appropriately, we will continue to do so through reports, committee papers and on this web page.

Local Government Reorganisation means we will no longer exist on 1 April 2028.

Additional restrictions on major spending decisions are expected within the next few months as part of this transition process.

If we do not get on and invest now, the opportunity to upgrade the Lido and secure its long-term future may be lost.

If we do not invest, then the Lido could face an uncertain future, particularly given the scale of infrastructure upgrades already required to keep the facility operational.

There is no guarantee the council replacing us from 1 April 2028 will be as supportive of the Lido in future.

Whatever people’s opinions are on the proposed scheme, we all agree securing the Lido’s long-term future is essential.