Lambeth Council invests £250,000 in Brockwell Lido gym

June 23, 2026

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Lambeth Council is investing over £250,000 to completely refurbish the gym at Brockwell Lido. This substantial upgrade coincides with the historic 89-year-old South London landmark returning to direct council management under its dedicated in-house service, Active Lambeth, starting from 1 July. The extensive modernization programme focuses heavily on the fitness suite, which is being completely refitted with premium sports equipment, alongside targeted improvements to the open-air swimming pool.

The capital injection allocates more than £250,000 for state-of-the-art Pulse Fitness cardio and resistance machines, an expanded free-weight strength section, and a dedicated high-performance functional training space. To complement the hardware, brand-new heavy-duty flooring will be installed to elevate safety standards and create a sleek, contemporary workout environment. Swimmers will also see immediate benefits, with new lane ropes and poolside enhancements scheduled. Councillor Natalie Kane, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Inclusion, Democracy and Culture, praised the site as a "vital community asset", noting that bringing the cherished inclusive space—frequented by everyone from hardy winter swimmers to local families—back into the Active Lambeth family is a major milestone for borough-wide health.

Seamless Transition for Members and Temporary Closures

For existing members, the operational transition on 1 July will be seamless. All current memberships will automatically transfer to the Active Lambeth platform, and direct debit payments will continue securely without requiring any manual updates or administrative action from users. Upon transition, members will unlock access to the standalone Active Lambeth smartphone app, enabling streamlined digital bookings, rewards, and entry via a personal QR code. The updated membership structure also grants users multi-site access to several premium leisure centres situated across the borough.

To facilitate the rapid installation of the new Pulse Fitness equipment and flooring, the indoor gym will undergo a temporary closure of approximately two weeks commencing 1 July. However, Brockwell Lido will remain fully open for swimming sessions, and the scheduled timetable of outdoor group exercise classes is expected to run as normal. To ensure fitness routines are not disrupted during the brief fortnight layout change, all transferring Fusion members will receive full reciprocal access to gym facilities and exercise classes at alternative Active Lambeth sites, including the Herne Hill Lifestyle Centre, Brixton Recreation Centre, and the West Norwood Health and Leisure Centre.

Strategic Integration and Borough-Wide Health Focus

This strategic management shift is designed to deliver a more unified, high-value leisure offering for Lambeth residents, blending upgraded physical infrastructure with modern booking technology and wider borough network access. Active Lambeth is actively encouraging the local community and fitness enthusiasts to visit the site, explore the upcoming changes, and engage with the newly evolved facilities at Brockwell Lido.

This public insourcing model addresses long-term resident feedback by removing third-party management contractors, ensuring that subscription fees are reinvested directly into neighborhood facilities and community health initiatives. By linking the Lido into a centralized municipal network, local health teams can better deploy targeted active lifestyle programs, subsidized youth activities, and inclusive over-60s clubs to reduce regional health inequalities across South London.

Author

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From Town Hall decisions to resident-led reports, the South London News On Your Doorstep Desk offers comprehensive coverage of the issues that matter to your street. Our editorial staff provide critical updates on local planning, council services, and neighbourhood initiatives, ensuring our readers never miss a change to their local area.

Every report is produced under the rigorous oversight of a leadership team with decades of experience at Yahoo UK, Metro, and the Daily Mail. By bridging the gap between local grievances and council accountability, our desk upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity to provide an accurate, human-led perspective on the stories driving South East London today.