Northcroft Lido in Newbury unable to reopen early

NORTHCROFT Lido will not be reopening early this year, despite Government guidance allowing outdoor pools to reopen from March 29.

The popular outdoor swimming pool at Northcroft Leisure Centre opens every summer until the first week of September, attracting thousands of visitors.

With coronavirus restrictions gradually lifting and outdoor pools now able to open, questions had been asked about when the 72m pool, the largest in Berkshire, would open.

However, West Berkshire Council leader Lynne Doherty (Con, Speen) said the pool wouldn’t be able to open earlier than normal as the council has to wait for the ground water levels to fall first.

Mrs Doherty said: “It all depends on the water level – we have to wait for the levels to go down.

“We’ll open it as soon as we can this year.”