In 1935, the Marina Bathing Pool opened in a stunning seafrontlocation, offering locals and tourists the chance to take a dip in fresh seawater. Over the years, it drew huge crowds, especially on weekends, when families would flock to the area to cool off, take a dive, or even learn to sail in the boating pool. Its was part of a complex that even had a space for dancing and a roller rink.

But despite its beautiful Art Deco architecture, the Kent lido, like so many others, eventually closed down, and the site was abandoned. In the 1970s, it was paved over to create a car park, in a twist worthy of a Joni Mitchell song.

However, the council-owned car park is now being considered by Thanet District Council for disposal, and an enthusiastic non-profit organisation is working with a developer who may be interested in taking over the site, potentially bringing back the lido for year-round outdoor swimming.

Non-profit organisation Heritage Lab Ramsgate said its in "early discussions" with a developer to create an outdoor swimming complex at the site, which it hopes would "help re-establish Ramsgate as a distinctive coastal destination".

A spokesperson for Heritage Lab Ramsgate said: “Thanet has a thriving sea and open-water swimming culture, with people of all ages swimming year-round for wellbeing, connection and community. Outdoor swimming is no longer niche – it’s part of a wider shift in how people travel and spend time at the coast.

“When combined with elements such as saunas, cafés and social spaces, an outdoor pool can become something more than a place to swim — it can be a year-round destination that locals and visitors return to again and again.

“The former Marina Bathing Pool site offers a rare opportunity to reinstate a high-quality outdoor swimming facility in a location that has been associated with leisure and seaside holidays since the mid-1930s.”

A Facebookpost showing potential plans for the site received several positive comments, with one saying: "Brilliant idea- kudos to the person/persons who conceived this project. It makes perfect sense to restore what once was a vital part of the town." Others shared fond memories of the original lido, and one commenter said: "Used to spend all day in the old marina pool when it was there. Mum never saw us from 0900 until about 1730."

However, one comment questioned the feasibility of the project, asking: "But would people use it? Did it originally close for lack of use? Like when people try to reopen village pubs and it struggles and struggles, many different landlords come and go eventually they close again. Not all, but most. Personally, I’d like to see this happen, but I doubt I’d actually use it. Good luck I say."

A report is due to be submitted to Thanet District Council ahead of a February 26 meeting, recommending a marketing exercise to invite proposals from a range of parties interested in the site. The council previously explored transforming the site for leisure use.

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A spokesperson for Heritage Lab Ramsgate added: “If a scheme were to progress, it would need to be developed responsibly and in close consultation with local residents, with careful attention paid to affordability, accessibility and ensuring the benefits are widely shared.”

The non-profit has also nominated the site to be designated an Asset of Community Value (ACV). This would mean the owner would need to notify the council of any intention to sell or grant a long lease, allowing a six-week window for community groups to register interest. This would be followed by a six-month moratorium, where the sale is paused, which would allow for a community bid to be developed.

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