Pyramid-shaped pool leased for redevelopment

4 days ago

John GuinnLocal Democracy reporter

News image — The building will be redeveloped into a private members health and racquets club

Tony Fisher/BBC White pyramid-shaped building with grey edging. There is a blue hoarding across the bottom with the slogan MAKE A SPLASH AT OASIS BEACH POOL
There is a car park to the left with a lot of standing water and there are clouds in the sky. — The building will be redeveloped into a private members health and racquets club

A leisure firm has been granted a 999‑year lease on a disused pyramid‑roofed pool due to be redeveloped.

Bedford Borough Council has approved a long lease of the former Oasis Beach Pool site to David Lloyd Leisure Limited.

Mayor Tom Wootton signed the decision, "for the purpose of providing a private members' health and racquets club, together with ancillary facilities".

marketed to leisure operators in late 2025, and David Lloyd Leisure's proposal scored highest out of five full bids.

Better Oasis Beach Pool in Bedford, showing two large slides, one red and one yellow, a pool, with barriers, a large white pyramid roof, and metal frame, around the building. — A 2023 condition survey warned the site would need repairs of more than £1.5m up to 2028

The council previously concluded that operating Oasis Beach Pool had been no longer financially sustainable due to high running costs and significant repair requirements.

The facility cost the council about £759,000 to operate in 2024-25, not including additional repair liabilities.

A roof inspection in 2025 found, although repairs worth £800,000 could extend the roof's life, a full replacement would eventually be needed and could cost more than £2m.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council report said the 999-year lease would result in its redevelopment to provide "modern, high quality leisure facilities".

The development is expected to deliver about 75 full-time equivalent operational jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.

David Lloyd Leisure will be required to build out the new club once contracts are completed, with planning approval targeted for submission by May 2026.

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