Lido operator will 'pause trading' in December

The company operating Jersey's 130-year-old lido says it will "pause trading" in December.

The decision follows an announcement of a review of the tender process which appointed a new operator for the facility in St Helier, leaving the The Lido (Havre des Pas) Ltd in an "uncertain position".

The company, which runs a kiosk and cafe at the pool, said it had "no viable option but to pause operations" on 6 December "due to the current circumstances and the uncertain position we have been placed in".

It said while the delay was "deeply challenging" for the business, the outcome for the future of the lido and the community "is critical". The bathing pool will remain open.

Earlier in November, the infrastructure minister ordered a review into the tender process after criticism of the process.

In 2024, the government asked for expressions of interest for a new nine-year lease from operators keen to "develop the wider community use" at the lido, focussing on sports and youth activities.

The government selected First Point to run it from 2026.

The Council of Ministers said a review of the tendering process would "cause delay... stagnation".

The Lido (Havre des Pas) Ltd said it was dedicated to ensuring staff have "continued employment and full support" and said it was important for the review to "conclude without speculation or external pressure".

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