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The Government is inviting expressions of interest from prospective new operators of the Lido who would be willing to operate the facility "for the benefit of the community".
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said he wanted to hear from individuals, businesses and community groups interested in potentially running the site – either partially or in its entirety.
The announcement comes just one week after St Helier Deputy David Warr lodged a proposition asking the government to put the contract for the management and maintenance of the Havre des Pas pool and café out to tender.
Deputy Warr brought the proposal forward after revealing that work was under way to register a 'Love our Lido' limited company, which will apply for charitable status and seek to take over the bathing pool.
Management of the area became a political issue after concerns were raised about its condition, when it emerged that notice had been served on the company holding the tenancy for the associated restaurant and event space, The Lido, to quit the site.
Mr Jehan yesterday published an expressions of interest document, appealing to operators “who wish to manage the Havre des Pas open seawater pool and its associated concession facility”.
Pictured: The 'Love our Lido' charity hopes to take over management of the bathing pool.
In a statement, the Government said: “This historic and iconic coastal destination, situated in one of Jersey’s most scenic locations, provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the island’s community life and visitor economy.
“We are seeking an operator committed to ensuring inclusive, year-round, mixed-use access to this public asset.”
The statement continued: “The facility should serve the diverse needs of the island, including families, recreational swimmers, fitness enthusiasts and social groups, while enhancing Jersey’s appeal to [the] local community and visitors.”
Mr Jehan added: “The Havre des Pas Lido is a vital public asset, and we want to hear from individuals, businesses, and community groups who would be interested in potentially operating the Lido for the benefit of the community.
“We are willing to listen to expressions of interest for the operation of the whole site, or for part of the Lido.”
Pictured: “The facility should serve the diverse needs of the island, including families, recreational swimmers, fitness enthusiasts and social groups.”
He described the process as “an important step” towards ensuring “year-round inclusive community use” of the site and working out how it might be used in future.
“We are open to all ideas and options, provided that they are built around the interests of the island community, and especially Islanders living in St Helier.
“We are confident in creating an exciting future for Havre des Pas and look forward to working in partnership with interested parties to achieve our vision.”
Mr Jehan also confirmed that a formal tender process would commence following conclusion of the expressions of interest.
In a statement this morning, members of the Lido Steering Group – chaired by the Constable of St Helier and made up of members of the Havre Des Pas community – said they were "pleased to hear that the Minister’s preferred future for the site is that a new entity takes over full control and maintenance, clearly accepting that the current model does not work".
Pictured: The Lido Steering Group is a community-led group with a common goal to maximise the benefit of the Lido.
The group said: "We seek clarity on a number of points in the document that has been issued, however, we are pleased that the Minister for Infrastructure and his team have finally recognised that the best use for this site is the very model currently being operated, that was created, grown, and has successfully been operating for the last nine years.
"It is this model and mindset that the Lido Steering Group wishes to take to all areas of the site as opposed to it being currently restricted to just the internal leased commercial area and through community-led management."
The statement continued: "The community-led steering group and the 'Love Our Lido' charity have already united the Hâvre Des Pas community, major stakeholders in many sectors, and daily facility users and been working on our proposal for months.
"We’ve invested considerable time in understanding everyone’s needs and desires for the site and developed a proposal to meet them.
"We remain totally transparent and open to more ideas and suggestions and have asked constantly for feedback and for anyone to contact us.
"The response has been tremendous and the support is unanimous."
You can find the full expressions of interest document for the Havre des Pas Lido HERE.
You can contact the Lido Steering Group by emailing steeringgroup@lidojersey.com.
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