Saltdean Library To Return To The Lido Next Month

Saltdean Library will be returning to the Saltdean Lido on Tuesday, February 13, following extensive refurbishment to the iconic Grade II* listed Lido building. 

A temporary library located in a nearby cabin will be closing on Monday, January 29 to enable time to prepare the new space. 

Meanwhile, customers can use either Rottingdean library - the closest to Saltdean - or Peacehavan library at the Meridien Centre.

The Brighton & Hove libraries service say it's delighted to welcome customers back to the Saltdean Lido building after two years of operating from a temporary cabin with a smaller selection of stock.

Saltdean residents can look forward to a lighter, brighter library space, updated to be fresh and modern, 'yet beautifully in-keeping' with the building’s iconic listed status.

The library is equipped with new furniture and new books and resources for the visitors to borrow and enjoy.  

There is a quality library offer for families, which includes a selection of new books and sensory and interactive elements in the space. 

Parents will also be welcomed to regular activity sessions that encourage play as well as reading for pleasure.

The return of the library marks another important milestone in restoration of the iconic 1930s Saltdean Lido building.

The restoration work begun in 2022 following major grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (£4.2m) and Historic England (£215,000) - supported by years of additional fundraising by the local community and £2.5 million from Brighton & Hove City Council.

Originally built as a beacon of Saltdean's fashionable resort status, the building is now set to become a vibrant community hub with a poolside café, restaurant, library, Art Deco ballroom, gym, shared workspace facilities and community rooms.

Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee, said:

“I am very excited to welcome everyone back in the new Saltdean library and wholeheartedly thank all the staff and volunteers at Saltdean Lido CIC who dedicated their time to restoring this fantastic community hub.

“A thank you also goes to Saltdean residents for bearing with our libraries during the refurbishment.

“The restoration of the iconic Saltdean lido building is a true testament to the efforts of its community, and a proof that when people care about their surroundings, they can achieve wonderful things which will benefit generations.

“I am sure the new library will bring a lot of joy to the residents and we’re delighted to invite everyone to visit, have a look and browse between the shelves or meet up with a friend and take in the welcoming library atmosphere.”

In other news, Peacehaven Library is to remain in its current location following the announced closure of the Co-op in the Meridian Centre.

While the Co-op in the Meridian Centre will close on Saturday, January 20, the library will remain in its current location during the future redevelopment of the site.

Due to the level of uncertainty and limited options, the county council’s library team and property team had looked at a number of alternatives to ensure the town would continue to have access to a full service.

An agreement has now been reached with Morrisons, the owners of the Meridian Centre, and plans for an alternative, temporary building, are no longer needed.

Councillor Claire Dowling, the county council’s lead member responsible for libraries, said:

“We know that there was concern about the provision of library services while the Meridian Centre is developed, and we are delighted to have been able to come to an agreement with the site owners which allows the services to continue to be provided from the current library.

“We have also been able to agree terms with Morrisons for a 300m2 purpose-built library building within the new development, which will allow us to continue to deliver a quality, needs-focussed library service for years to come.”

Once the development is complete, the library will be able to move into the new building on the site.