Local Campaign Group Holds On in Bid to Run the Lido

A local campaign group aiming to safeguard the future of the Havre des Pas Lido has advanced to the final phase of a government-led process to appoint a new operator for the landmark site.

The organisation, Love Our Lido, was established last year with the intention of becoming a registered charity and assuming responsibility for the management of the popular bathing pool from early next year.

Deputy David Warr and community advocate Matt Falla — who is among those proposed as governors of the new charitable body — confirmed that the group has been identified as the “preferred bidder” to run the site.

However, the Infrastructure and Environment Department has clarified that the selection process is not yet complete. In a statement released yesterday, officials noted that “important matters” remain under discussion, some of which involve confidential commercial details.

“All parties have been asked to respect the process as we move into the next stage,” the department stated. “It is therefore regrettable that a States Member has chosen to make a public statement at this stage.”

The department described the selection process as particularly complex, in part due to what it called “intense political focus”. It also reiterated its commitment to fairness, highlighting that an independent panel has been responsible for evaluating bids.

“The minister and assistant minister for infrastructure have been determined to ensure an impartial process,” the statement read. “We do not expect to make further comment until this next stage concludes, which is likely by the end of September.”

Responding to the department’s remarks, Mr Falla acknowledged that while the group’s position is promising, the process is not yet finalised.

“It’s not guaranteed — there’s still more to go through,” he said. “We’re almost there, though it’s taken longer than we’d hoped.”

Deputy Warr has been a vocal supporter of the Love Our Lido initiative, previously stating his belief in transitioning the site “from government oversight to a community-led charitable framework” in order to ensure the long-term success of what he called a “historically significant, unique, iconic and special site”.