editor
hiraethified
The new owners got in touch and asked me to update the urban75 feature.
So whaddya reckon to the new look Lido?
So whaddya reckon to the new look Lido?
Let's have your Brockwell Lido review please!
- Thread starter editor
- Start date
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Fusion called you.... 
Get them to sort out the cafe for a start - it's rubbish!! 
Why don't you come for a swim one of these mornings?
Tricky Skills has some class photos of the lido.
To be honest, the great thing about the "new look" lido is that, from poolside, it looks the same as it always did. The walls are still covered in climbing ivy, the redbrick still catches the sun as it goes down and reflects a beautiful glowing light onto the pool.
The new changing rooms, however, are a bit of a disappointment. They are extremely small and cramped. Fusion have added two heated outdoor showers at either end of the pool to try and alleviate the situation - but it can get hectic during the early morning swim session as everyone tries to get off to work after a swim. It isn't possible to crossover from the pool to the gym changing rooms without first drying off and getting dressed again, leaving by the turnstile and then re-entering through the front door. I do know of some people who have done this, but again - not an early morning rush option!
Personally I think they've done a very good job expanding the old changing rooms to accomodate the gym. Apart from the new large glass windows giving onto the gym and spa, the west wall of the building also looks unchanged.
The gym itself is very nice. They've had some teething problems and there are definitely some issues of style over substance. The showers, for example, look flash, but a more basic model that actually succeeds in maintaining its temperature and delivering a decent flow of water would have been my preference! There are definitely many improvements to be made to the gym, but Fusion have proved to be quite good to act on feedback and the gym classes have changed to reflect this. There are some great teachers and there's already quite a "community" feeling in the gym I think. There is a bit of tension between the "new" gym users and the old yoga clientele however, which is a shame. There was almost a scuffle last week involving yoga mats and body pump weights... There are lots of other classes going on in the building too such as drumming, kids classes etc.
One sad loss is the old cafe. It's been replaced by something akin to a school dinners provider. The sandwiches, drinks and other food are very basic and there is no real imaginative or healthy options. They are also much too expensive. However, given that there are very few customers at the start of the season I'm hoping they improve their choices when it gets warmer.
Given that the lido seemed forever at threat of closure, it is wonderful to see it so busy and being used by so many. Not all will be coming for a swim - indeed at the moment, very few are - but at least now we have some security for the pool and can hope for many more sunsets over Brixton beach.
Get them to sort out the cafe for a start - it's rubbish!! Why don't you come for a swim one of these mornings?
Tricky Skills has some class photos of the lido.
To be honest, the great thing about the "new look" lido is that, from poolside, it looks the same as it always did. The walls are still covered in climbing ivy, the redbrick still catches the sun as it goes down and reflects a beautiful glowing light onto the pool.
The new changing rooms, however, are a bit of a disappointment. They are extremely small and cramped. Fusion have added two heated outdoor showers at either end of the pool to try and alleviate the situation - but it can get hectic during the early morning swim session as everyone tries to get off to work after a swim. It isn't possible to crossover from the pool to the gym changing rooms without first drying off and getting dressed again, leaving by the turnstile and then re-entering through the front door. I do know of some people who have done this, but again - not an early morning rush option!
Personally I think they've done a very good job expanding the old changing rooms to accomodate the gym. Apart from the new large glass windows giving onto the gym and spa, the west wall of the building also looks unchanged.
The gym itself is very nice. They've had some teething problems and there are definitely some issues of style over substance. The showers, for example, look flash, but a more basic model that actually succeeds in maintaining its temperature and delivering a decent flow of water would have been my preference! There are definitely many improvements to be made to the gym, but Fusion have proved to be quite good to act on feedback and the gym classes have changed to reflect this. There are some great teachers and there's already quite a "community" feeling in the gym I think. There is a bit of tension between the "new" gym users and the old yoga clientele however, which is a shame. There was almost a scuffle last week involving yoga mats and body pump weights...
There are lots of other classes going on in the building too such as drumming, kids classes etc. One sad loss is the old cafe. It's been replaced by something akin to a school dinners provider. The sandwiches, drinks and other food are very basic and there is no real imaginative or healthy options. They are also much too expensive. However, given that there are very few customers at the start of the season I'm hoping they improve their choices when it gets warmer.
Given that the lido seemed forever at threat of closure, it is wonderful to see it so busy and being used by so many. Not all will be coming for a swim - indeed at the moment, very few are - but at least now we have some security for the pool and can hope for many more sunsets over Brixton beach.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
Slightly updated since my first visit to the 'new' lido last summer. Feel free to use. Plus grab any pics you like from the I'm in Love With Brockwell Lido Facebook group.
********
This summer is the first season in SE24 since Fusion operated both the pool and gym, having taken a wrecking ball to seventy years of art deco splendor.
The South wall was knocked down over the winter months of 2006, and then brick by brick, re-built some six feet further to the edge of the park. The extra space houses a fitness studio.
Regular readers will be aware that I have been suspicious over the whole shifting of the South wall. The Lovely Lido was perfect the way it was. Except the way it was only meant that it made money (or at best, broke even) for two months of the year.
Adapt or die, etc, which is exactly how I felt at 7am on a breezy May morning when I took my first swim of the new season in the not quite Mediterranean temperature pool.
But first things first - what of the re-design?
With the South side now a designated sweat yer arse off area, the main entrance to the Lido has shifted to the West wing. My first 'bloody hell!' moment came when I saw the addition of around two dozen bike racks, something which the Lido has always lacked.
It has paid in previous seasons to get friendly with the management, just for that nod and a wink to allow you to take your bike inside the Lido. The surrounding area is a notorious stalking ground for bike thief scum, and I have had a crappy Halfords bike fall victim to the fuckers in the past.
I would still hesitate in leaving my bike outside the Lido, if it wasn't for the wonderful open facade to the front.
Large viewing windows have opened up the Lido, making a view from outside possible, and more importantly for bike lovers, a view from the inside looking out. You've got to have some bottle to try and nick a bike that is now on full show from the reception desk.
But the real beauty of the glass frontage is that the Lido is now opened up in all its beauty for all to see from Brockwell Park.
My second 'bloody hell!' moment was the price of a season ticket. £150 for the season or £5.25 (!) for an individual swim. That's just over a whopping 80% price increase from twelve months previous!
I decided to buy a season ticket. Waking up at 6am midweek when it's still raining isn't much of an incentive for me to cycle down to Brockwell Park. With a £150 ransom hanging over my head, I'll be as regular as my bowel movements have now become following a freezing cold swim.
The Fusion front of house staff are actually fantastic. Very friendly, very helpful and they seemed to have carried the Lido Love baton and stuck with the old ambience.
And then the LOVE of the Lovely Lido hit me. I entered the pool area for the first time in nine months, and I had shivers running down my spine as I saw a mass open air public pool in South London, lit up with brilliant sunshine and blue skies.
Or maybe I was just shivering ahead of the swim?
I surveyed the scene to try and get my bearings. Twelve summers of swimming in SE24 has made the Lido my official summer home. But I've been away for a bit and the builders have moved in.
Would the Lovely Lido pass the Extreme Makeover test? Or would I find a shopping mall lined with Pizza Huts and a little paddling pool placed in the middle?
I marveled at the dedication of the design job. Little has seemingly changed since the re-design, and if it has, it has been well masked. Like for like has been the buzzword, with even the wonderful art deco windows being lovingly replaced in the exact same style.
Time to get changed. I tracked down the new changing facilities, and although I admit I was disappointed with the shoe box size, they were clean, functional and kept the feel of the old place. I can't help thinking though that they will be woefully inadequate during a long hot summer spell (assuming that ever happens in South London over the next few weeks.)
The blue mosaics on the shower walls were both modern and suitably fashioned to fit the art deco splendor.
And so I reckon it's finally time for Fusion to lose the 'self-styled leisure lifestyle knobbers' status from around these parts. This is indeed a rarity - I have no reverse gear (or little money after forking out for my season ticket.)
But I was impressed with what I saw, and my day started off all the better for it. Didn't take long to go downhill, mind.
The Lovely Lido still has an ambient anarchic feel; it gives the impression of running itself, something that will hopefully continue as long as Fusion do their 'caring capitalism' thing from behind the scenes.
Golden Days.
*edited to change seventy years of art deco splendour*
********
This summer is the first season in SE24 since Fusion operated both the pool and gym, having taken a wrecking ball to seventy years of art deco splendor.
The South wall was knocked down over the winter months of 2006, and then brick by brick, re-built some six feet further to the edge of the park. The extra space houses a fitness studio.
Regular readers will be aware that I have been suspicious over the whole shifting of the South wall. The Lovely Lido was perfect the way it was. Except the way it was only meant that it made money (or at best, broke even) for two months of the year.
Adapt or die, etc, which is exactly how I felt at 7am on a breezy May morning when I took my first swim of the new season in the not quite Mediterranean temperature pool.
But first things first - what of the re-design?
With the South side now a designated sweat yer arse off area, the main entrance to the Lido has shifted to the West wing. My first 'bloody hell!' moment came when I saw the addition of around two dozen bike racks, something which the Lido has always lacked.
It has paid in previous seasons to get friendly with the management, just for that nod and a wink to allow you to take your bike inside the Lido. The surrounding area is a notorious stalking ground for bike thief scum, and I have had a crappy Halfords bike fall victim to the fuckers in the past.
I would still hesitate in leaving my bike outside the Lido, if it wasn't for the wonderful open facade to the front.
Large viewing windows have opened up the Lido, making a view from outside possible, and more importantly for bike lovers, a view from the inside looking out. You've got to have some bottle to try and nick a bike that is now on full show from the reception desk.
But the real beauty of the glass frontage is that the Lido is now opened up in all its beauty for all to see from Brockwell Park.
My second 'bloody hell!' moment was the price of a season ticket. £150 for the season or £5.25 (!) for an individual swim. That's just over a whopping 80% price increase from twelve months previous!
I decided to buy a season ticket. Waking up at 6am midweek when it's still raining isn't much of an incentive for me to cycle down to Brockwell Park. With a £150 ransom hanging over my head, I'll be as regular as my bowel movements have now become following a freezing cold swim.
The Fusion front of house staff are actually fantastic. Very friendly, very helpful and they seemed to have carried the Lido Love baton and stuck with the old ambience.
And then the LOVE of the Lovely Lido hit me. I entered the pool area for the first time in nine months, and I had shivers running down my spine as I saw a mass open air public pool in South London, lit up with brilliant sunshine and blue skies.
Or maybe I was just shivering ahead of the swim?
I surveyed the scene to try and get my bearings. Twelve summers of swimming in SE24 has made the Lido my official summer home. But I've been away for a bit and the builders have moved in.
Would the Lovely Lido pass the Extreme Makeover test? Or would I find a shopping mall lined with Pizza Huts and a little paddling pool placed in the middle?
I marveled at the dedication of the design job. Little has seemingly changed since the re-design, and if it has, it has been well masked. Like for like has been the buzzword, with even the wonderful art deco windows being lovingly replaced in the exact same style.
Time to get changed. I tracked down the new changing facilities, and although I admit I was disappointed with the shoe box size, they were clean, functional and kept the feel of the old place. I can't help thinking though that they will be woefully inadequate during a long hot summer spell (assuming that ever happens in South London over the next few weeks.)
The blue mosaics on the shower walls were both modern and suitably fashioned to fit the art deco splendor.
And so I reckon it's finally time for Fusion to lose the 'self-styled leisure lifestyle knobbers' status from around these parts. This is indeed a rarity - I have no reverse gear (or little money after forking out for my season ticket.)
But I was impressed with what I saw, and my day started off all the better for it. Didn't take long to go downhill, mind.
The Lovely Lido still has an ambient anarchic feel; it gives the impression of running itself, something that will hopefully continue as long as Fusion do their 'caring capitalism' thing from behind the scenes.
Golden Days.
*edited to change seventy years of art deco splendour*
Lido's looking good although not really much difference from last year. Its just nice to know this brilliant facility on our doorstep has a more secure future now following the redevelopment. Being in the water and catching a few glances of the surroundings while doing a few lengths on a hot sunny afternoon is a real pleasure. Guess it could do with a bit of investment in sprucing up the cafe and using that more to its potential and perhaps neatening up the decking areas might be something worth considering in the near future. As a member of the gym its also slightly diasapointing that you have to leave the building via the turnstile and re-enter through reception to access the gym facilities although I do realise they need to control access - perhaps this have been thought through more when they designed the layout of the redevelopment.
I've been the last couple of days, and it's still lovely.
It's has lost some of its charm in the redevelopment though. The glass windows on the external walls gym side and look like the building has had a slice taken through it, and the aircon units on the roof break the line of the building.
The cafe is not much cop either, all polystyrine plates and overpriced sweets. Hopeing the jerk chicken pit will make a return this summer.
Still a fab place though.
It's has lost some of its charm in the redevelopment though. The glass windows on the external walls gym side and look like the building has had a slice taken through it, and the aircon units on the roof break the line of the building.
The cafe is not much cop either, all polystyrine plates and overpriced sweets. Hopeing the jerk chicken pit will make a return this summer.
Still a fab place though.
that's good - they were my 2 main complaints.
My only other (little) gripe was a sadness that they had to strip all the art off - the mural and the bits and pieces inside really lifted the place and made it feel more like Brixton than just any old lido. It was completely missed out of the Time Out best lidos list this year and I think that its duller interior is part of the reason.
But we still have it and that's a good thing - pricey though. I have to say I'm going to investigate Tooting very soon and allegiance might be swapped if it's cheaper.
My only other (little) gripe was a sadness that they had to strip all the art off - the mural and the bits and pieces inside really lifted the place and made it feel more like Brixton than just any old lido. It was completely missed out of the Time Out best lidos list this year and I think that its duller interior is part of the reason.
But we still have it and that's a good thing - pricey though. I have to say I'm going to investigate Tooting very soon and allegiance might be swapped if it's cheaper.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I thought Time Out missed a trick by now making a splash (arf) with Brockwell. Maybe it was because of the closeness of Tooting, which at 90m (too long in my opinion) rightfully gets a billing?
I've missed the artwork as well. It gave Brockwell a unique feel. One small step towards a more corporate feel with all the branding of the new logo etc. Still, I'm VERY supportive of Fusion and think that they are doing a fine job.
At least we've got a pool, etc.
I've missed the artwork as well. It gave Brockwell a unique feel. One small step towards a more corporate feel with all the branding of the new logo etc. Still, I'm VERY supportive of Fusion and think that they are doing a fine job.
At least we've got a pool, etc.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
Apologies for another C&P, but here are my thoughts about recent days down at the lido. Feel free to use again 
********
The first proper lovely lido day of the new season on Sunday. The mid-May ice pool plunge now seems as distant away as the closing of the lido in early October.
It's days like these where lido life really takes off. The empty early mid-week mornings are wonderful for solace, but on a Phew Wot A Scorcher Sunday afternoon, the lido community comes into its own.
Of course it was going to be busy. A later start than planned (how many times must a man be told to varnish his front garden fence?) but hey - a quick swipe of the season ticket and I was queue jumping like a Labour Party donor having just added to the advertising budget.
Midday, and the pool surrounds were full of sun worshippers. I still managed to find a spot in the topless Brixton bohemian corner, far away from the chattering classes of the Dulwich Mums down at the other end.
Time to put the lengths in. Not a great swim, but I had sun and sleeping on my mind. The water was warm (really!) and the reflection from the SE24 blue skies patterned the bottom of the pool with flickering rays of light with every stroke.
No kiddie piss in there today, then.
Twenty lengths later and I was done. My daily visits so far this season since the ice pool plunge opening have meant a steaming hot shower and then the morning commute. Not so on Sunday.
Straight out of the pool and onto the beach towel, headphones on and I didn't get past track three on John Martyn's Solid Air, something of a lovely lido favourite for me.
I was out for the count until midway through Side 2 (which being a John Martyn album, just about justifies still talking about it in old pounds, shillings & pence.)
I was by now cornered in North, South, East and West by towels. I had been annexed by a bunch of female German students. Being in the topless Brixton Bohemian corner, I wasn't complaining.
The talk was sadly of the state of the old Cafe. This is the first season since the re-opening of the Lido in '94 that there hasn't been the reassuring presence of Casey McGlue casting a watchful eye over the lido. Recent years has seen the beach hut being an extension of the excellent Beamish & McGlue deli moving down from West Norwood to Brockwell Park. Not so this year, with Fusion setting up shop on its own, offering a rather basic (and bland) menu of milky tea and over-priced crisps.
I don't come to the lido to munch away on crappy crisps, I come to fall asleep and lose myself. Which is something I was well on the way to doing by the time Dub Side of the Moon shuffled up on the iPod.
More of the same today. And tomorrow, and the day after...
********
The first proper lovely lido day of the new season on Sunday. The mid-May ice pool plunge now seems as distant away as the closing of the lido in early October.
It's days like these where lido life really takes off. The empty early mid-week mornings are wonderful for solace, but on a Phew Wot A Scorcher Sunday afternoon, the lido community comes into its own.
Of course it was going to be busy. A later start than planned (how many times must a man be told to varnish his front garden fence?) but hey - a quick swipe of the season ticket and I was queue jumping like a Labour Party donor having just added to the advertising budget.
Midday, and the pool surrounds were full of sun worshippers. I still managed to find a spot in the topless Brixton bohemian corner, far away from the chattering classes of the Dulwich Mums down at the other end.
Time to put the lengths in. Not a great swim, but I had sun and sleeping on my mind. The water was warm (really!) and the reflection from the SE24 blue skies patterned the bottom of the pool with flickering rays of light with every stroke.
No kiddie piss in there today, then.
Twenty lengths later and I was done. My daily visits so far this season since the ice pool plunge opening have meant a steaming hot shower and then the morning commute. Not so on Sunday.
Straight out of the pool and onto the beach towel, headphones on and I didn't get past track three on John Martyn's Solid Air, something of a lovely lido favourite for me.
I was out for the count until midway through Side 2 (which being a John Martyn album, just about justifies still talking about it in old pounds, shillings & pence.)
I was by now cornered in North, South, East and West by towels. I had been annexed by a bunch of female German students. Being in the topless Brixton Bohemian corner, I wasn't complaining.
The talk was sadly of the state of the old Cafe. This is the first season since the re-opening of the Lido in '94 that there hasn't been the reassuring presence of Casey McGlue casting a watchful eye over the lido. Recent years has seen the beach hut being an extension of the excellent Beamish & McGlue deli moving down from West Norwood to Brockwell Park. Not so this year, with Fusion setting up shop on its own, offering a rather basic (and bland) menu of milky tea and over-priced crisps.
I don't come to the lido to munch away on crappy crisps, I come to fall asleep and lose myself. Which is something I was well on the way to doing by the time Dub Side of the Moon shuffled up on the iPod.
More of the same today. And tomorrow, and the day after...
glue_factory
New Member
A small point for anyone who's finding the new entrance fees a bit steep, if you go after 6pm (on a weekday) it's £3.50, although you obviously only get up to two hours swimming/lounging around.
DJWrongspeed
radio eros
Yeh far, far, far too expensive, I'm gonna go to Hampton it's heated there too
it's £2.60 if you go in the morning, hardly a ripoff, and as above cheaper after 6. Lido's are weird they can be empty one minute and then the whole world turns up. From the Lido's point of view would it be any busier if was cheaper? I think the weather is more the factor.
Structaural
in Chatsubo
Too overpriced, and they used to have a great pricing structure where you could pay for a couple of hours. I know quite a few people in the area who can no longer afford to take their families to the Lido now.
daniel1975
New Member
Hello, I am submitting a tender to run Brockwell Lido cafe and wanted to know peoples thoughts on what it should and shouldn't sell. Also what people like in a cafe, and generally any ideas that any of you have. We live locally and are independent caterers, and the Brixton/Herne Hill community is very important to us and the future of the Lido cafe. All ideas would be appreciated. cheers!
editor
hiraethified
Hi. Welcome to the forums.
I'd like locally sourced, organic, affordable food with maybe the occasional event on at the cafe. Free Wi-Fi might help bring in a few more punters and really good coffee is an absolute must!
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Welcome! Also - some really nice healthy-ish foods - it's annoying to have done a long swim and only be able to get something quite stodgy. There used to be some nice imaginative middle-eastern inspired salads. For the regular morning swimmers definitely porridge and/or muesli and toast (for the weekend.. ).
).
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
That's a good one gg - porridge would be great for the mornings, nice bread for toast and peanut butter - that always went down well
Don't remember there ever being much fruit either, although I did only go in the mornings last year.
When it was Paddy and Casey doing the food I always used to have a swim and breakfast there (hence the birth of the Brockwell Breakfast Club), but last year it all went pear-shaped.
Good luck with the tender - I know of another local party who has been approached and it seems that they are v. keen to keep it local rather than some national one-size-fits-all catering company.
Nanker Phelge
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Access to the cafe if you are not swimming without having to pay to get into the lido would be good.
Sometimes I want to watch my son swim and not go in myself, and I've had to pay to enter.
Foodwise....
Beer! organic or otherwise
Cider
Cake
Sometimes I want to watch my son swim and not go in myself, and I've had to pay to enter.
Foodwise....
Beer!
organic or otherwiseCider
Cake
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
Wifi would be wonderful. I often *work* at the lido with my dodgy dongle, but a strong, sustained connection would be great.
Food wise... just keep it healthy and local. I was part of a school trip with 40 kids last summer. It was so disappointing to only be able to serve them up the usual crisps / chocolate nonsense after their morning of splashing about.
I'd happily pay the extra for decent, quality bread, pasta, salads, juice etc.
Plus evening provision / BBQ's would be great.
Food wise... just keep it healthy and local. I was part of a school trip with 40 kids last summer. It was so disappointing to only be able to serve them up the usual crisps / chocolate nonsense after their morning of splashing about.
I'd happily pay the extra for decent, quality bread, pasta, salads, juice etc.
Plus evening provision / BBQ's would be great.
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
In the first year, I must have spent quite a lot of money at the cafe. They had lovely home madeish cakes and interesting salads (like the tabbouleh gaijingirl mentioned), plus lots of varieties of tea, hot chocolate etc. It was part of the treat of going to the Lido. Last year I might have bought a cup of tea once - it was just so uninspiring.
It's tricky because you're catering for quite a wide variety of people from health nuts to skint parents. I don't know how much people want a full meal, and how much they want just a snack. Tooting Lido has a decent selection of stuff including pasta dishes and baked potatoes as well as chips, hotdogs etc, with quite a lot of vegetarian options, although it's more "greasy spoon" than "wholefood shop" like Beamish & McGlue was.
Personally, if I could get baked potatoes with various fillings, salads and the odd nice cake I'd be a happy bunny. NB don't underestimate the importance of the hot drink after a cold swim...
It's tricky because you're catering for quite a wide variety of people from health nuts to skint parents. I don't know how much people want a full meal, and how much they want just a snack. Tooting Lido has a decent selection of stuff including pasta dishes and baked potatoes as well as chips, hotdogs etc, with quite a lot of vegetarian options, although it's more "greasy spoon" than "wholefood shop" like Beamish & McGlue was.
Personally, if I could get baked potatoes with various fillings, salads and the odd nice cake I'd be a happy bunny. NB don't underestimate the importance of the hot drink after a cold swim...
