'It's not just a lido, it is a way of life': Dedicated Tooting Bec Lido member speaks about challenges during pandemic

Tooting Bec Lido is treasured by many people in our community. Like many other things across the borough, it has had to adapt in order to operate safely and economically throughout the pandemic.

A dedicated member of five years, Lisa Peake, spoke to Nub News about the challenges the lido has faced and how its community is staying loyal to Tooting's famous meeting spot.

"The fact that they have reopened is huge to us," Lisa told Nub News.

"The members rely on it for our fitness, for our mental health, for our socialising - and all of that was gone over lockdown."

The lido now operates through one hour sessions, with wider lanes going width ways and no extra facilities like the cafe, sauna (normally open in the winter) and showers.

Although the full membership was charged for just over half a year, Lisa said it's so cheap anyway it's still great value and worth every penny if it keeps the lido open.

"A lot of members are not going to pubs, cafes and restaurants - for a lot of us it's all we have left."

During past Summers the lido would be filled with families and young people enjoying a day in the sun - this was not available this year, which has meant the lido has had to rethink its pricing strategy.

"Despite its dedicated member base and offering single swim bookings during the summer, the lido was underused as a local resource due to social distancing requirements," Lisa continued.

"Although it's wonderful being able to swim still, we all know how important those busy sunny days are to keep it financially viable."

Throughout the years, Tooting Bec Lido has created a community around itself full of people from different backgrounds.

Lisa explained: "Swimming is a great leveler. The water doesn't care about your age, shape, experience or fitness and neither do we."

"It's not just a lido, it is a way of life."

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