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Student Saves Saltdean Lido

Psychology student Mark Bunting has put together a £1.5 million salvage proposal for Saltdean Lido.
Brighton and Hove Council have accepted the plan, which will be financed by local businessmen, and Mark is thrilled that the reconstruction work could begin in August this year.

"It's a beautiful building and I really didn't want to see it fall into a dilapidated state," says Mark a mature student in CCS, who used to live in Saltdean and is still involved with the local community. "It's a two-sided plan - the community needed facilities and the lido needed saving."

The rescue plan takes an unusual approach, putting affordability before profit-making. All the financial plans have been based on a five pound family day ticket. "It's a slightly new concept - we've looked at it from the position of the community," says Mark. "We've struck a balance between providing facilities for the community, and providing a reasonable return to keep those facilities open. It's got to be profitable and self-sufficient, generating enough funds to keep itself going and give a return to those involved."

Saltdean Lido will be the first public Art Deco building to be reconstructed. Built in 1935, the lido's architecture won it a place in London's Design Museum, but the facility has proved too costly for Brighton Council to maintain. Mark's reconstruction plans include the addition of a heated pool and a 1930s theme restaurant, and he is looking forward to seeing his hard work pay off - the lido should be up and running by next summer.

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Friday May 30th 1997

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