A campaign to introduce a public open-air swimming pool in west London has gained an enormous wave of support over the last month.

Since launching the West London Lido (WeLL) website on 21 December, 2021, co-founder of the voluntary group, Eddie Morgan, said they have been overwhelmed with support for the idea.

"We have been inundated with people getting in touch", Eddie, 53, told Nub News. "The comments we have had are so positive, it's very gratifying to hear this and it's good to see if there is a genuine need and support."

The group's ambition is to build an Olympic size lido with ground-sourced heating, surrounded by poolside changing rooms and a sun terrace.

The vision includes a small splash pool for children, a café and additional facilities which might include a gym, exercise studio, small group spin studio, yoga room and community meeting rooms.

Eddie, who lives in Shepherds Bush and works for a TV production company based in Goldhawk Road, said over 500 people have contacted them so far, including some celebrity names.

"I could see the emails coming in minute by minute. It was quite exhilarating at that point I thought, maybe this could actually happen."

The grassroots idea was pollinated over the last year and a half on walks in west London with various people and community groups.

Eddie, originally from Preston, Lancashire, is an avid outdoor swimmer and lido advocate, and stressed the mental health benefits of lidos as well as their role in adapting society to climate change and Covid.

"Just being near water, just seeing the sun glinting on water, even that is a way of enjoying a lido," said Eddie.

"We all know climate change is big and going to change us in many ways and giving people the opportunity to swim outdoors in a safe environment is invaluable.

"With Covid as well, it's a moment of enormous opportunity to re-think public spaces and give people of all backgrounds and incomes access to these spaces."

Current lidos in London include; Brockwell Park, Tooting Bec, Gospel Oak, Charlton, Hampton Court and Hillingdon.

But residents in most of west London may have to travel eight miles or more to visit their nearest one.

Challenges

WeLL has estimated they need to raise at least £15 million to build the lido.

This will require a solid investment, business plan and ideas for a mix of revenue-generating activities so the space can be self-sufficient.

The vision is also only possible if a suitable location can be found, fully supported by all local groups, the council, stakeholders and in harmony with the landscape.

"We need all the three Ls – location, loot and the love," said Eddie.

"We need diverse people loving the idea and working together to make it happen. We can't do it without these three L's."

So far, a potential site is the southern built-up edge of Wormwood Scrubs, owned and run by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Other suggestions include Gunnersbury Park, Gladstone Park and Dukes Meadow.

The recent support has increased Eddie's faith in the idea from "0.1 per cent to 10 per cent", but with public backing, could the vision become a reality?

WeLL are asking for support and input from the public, you can send your thoughts and comments through their website and find out more about the campaign.