Droitwich Spa Lido upgrade
In this section
Transforming Droitwich Spa Lido
Our planned £12.5 million investment in Droitwich Spa Lido provides a once in a generation opportunity to enhance one of the town’s treasured leisure attractions, while securing its long-term future.
It forms part of our multi-million-pound health and wellbeing programme in the town which includes an upgraded leisure centre, new pump track, skate park and health corridor.
Read on to find out more about the project.
The need for change
The Lido is not only loved by locals but attracts visitors from across the region. The Droitwich Spa Investment Prospectus recognised the role the Lido could play in helping to put the town on the map as a health and wellbeing destination and boost footfall to support the wider town centre. This project is our commitment to delivering that vision.
But this is also about safeguarding the Lido for the future. The Lido’s infrastructure is ageing and needs about £6 million of repairs and upgrades simply to allow it to keep operating safely.
Local Government Reorganisation also means Wychavon will no longer exist by 1 April 2028. There is no guarantee the council replacing us will be as supportive of the Lido as we have.
If we do not invest now, then the Lido could face an uncertain future. This is not something we are willing to accept.
This project combines essential upgrades with new facilities that improve long-term sustainability and the appeal of the site all year round, so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
How the project has been developed
In 2024 our Economic development team working with Wychavon's Droitwich Spa Place Board, One Creative and Gleeds developed some options for the Lido site.
These high-level concepts were assessed and a preferred option chosen, which was put to the public during a feedback event in November 2024.
Feedback showed 86% of people supported the project but concerns were raised about accessibility, the need for upgraded changing rooms and parking provision.
We have then worked with different partners and specialists in the leisure industry to develop the scheme further, using feedback from the public.
The design itself has gone through several phases before finally being agreed. At each stage we have gathered more technical and detailed information about the site and the feasibility of the initial concept released to the public in late 2024. This process is normal for a large development project of this type. We have also been able to gain a more realistic idea of the cost of delivering the project.
The scheme
The £12.5 million scheme includes:
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A spa
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A larger brine bath within the Art Deco building – returning a brine bath to the town for the first time in 20 years
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New and improved shower and changing facilities
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Enhanced accessible facilities
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A new splash pad
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Improvements to the car park
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A safer entrance from Worcester Road, including a dedicated footpath
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A new poolside bistro within the Art Deco building
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A restored Art Deco building
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A new snack kiosk at the south end of the site
What's new?
The scheme has evolved from the original high-level concept based on feedback from the public, stakeholders and new technical information we weren’t aware of in November 2024 - but the overall offer hasn’t been reduced.
It still delivers everything originally outlined along with some new additions, with only minor refinements made to improve deliverability and manage costs.
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Larger Brine Bath
This was increased based on feedback from stakeholders including Droitwich Spa Place Board.
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Improvements to the car park
Car parking was a concern raised during feedback gathering. We will be adding seven extra standard spaces and two additional accessibility spaces. We will also be looking at signage to encourage Lido visitors to make use of other nearby car parking capacity.
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Improved changing rooms with accessible facilities
Accessibility was a key theme from the public feedback gathering. Technical surveys also revealed the current changing rooms needed repair work anyway.
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Larger café but in the same location
Relocation added unnecessary cost and complexity including rerouting utilities, harmful impact on Lido Park, challenges pumping sewage uphill and accessibility concerns from the public about the distance of a relocated café from the car park.
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A new snack kiosk serving both Lido users and park visitors
This fulfils the original vision of a relocated café - to serve both Lido and park users - without the complexity and cost.
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A new upper-floor bistro overlooking the pool within the Art Deco building
A restaurant offer was requested by stakeholders.
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Cost of project now £12.5 million instead of £8 million
Technical work has identified £6 million of maintenance needed to keep the site operational we did not know about in November 2024. So, while that work pushes the overall cost up, the upgrades and enhancements are actually being delivered for £6.5 million, below the original high-level £8 million estimate.
How the new lido could look
We will upload the new CGI images of the final Lido design here after the information event on 13 July 2026.
What happens next
A planning application will be submitted shortly. If approved, we expect work to get underway in early 2027, with the new Lido open to the public in the summer of 2028.
Who we are working with
Delivering a project of this scale requires a broad range of specialist skills and experience. We have secured the services of Alliance Leisure as a delivery partner through the UK Leisure Framework, to assemble a design and delivery team to help shape and deliver the future of Droitwich Spa Lido.
Rivers Fitness
Alliance Leisure
Speller Metcalfe
One Creative
Bellrock
Frequently Asked Questions
We know there is a lot of information on social media about this project which has raised several questions. Here are responses to the questions we are asked the most often, that are not answered elsewhere on this page.
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Who is responsible for the decision on the Lido redevelopment?
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.
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Why has the estimated project cost increased since November 2024?
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.
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What stage is the project currently at?
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.
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Have any additional issues been identified during survey work?
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.
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How has public feedback shaped the updated proposals?
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.
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Has the scheme been reduced compared with the original consultation proposals?
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.
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Why is the café no longer being relocated?
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.
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What food and drink facilities will the redevelopment include?
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.
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Will the redevelopment improve accessibility?
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.
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What improvements are planned for parking and access?
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.
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Is the revised scheme considered financially sustainable?
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.
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Who is supporting the delivery of the project?
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.
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How was the project procured and appointed?
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.
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Why wasn’t there a separate open tender process for this project?
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.
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How are you ensuring project costs are value for money?
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.
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Why can’t all procurement documents be published in full?
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.
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Why does a decision need to be made now?
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.
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What could happen if the redevelopment does not take place?
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.
