Charlton Lido

Charlton Lido reopening confirmed for 29 March

Darryl Chamberlain
Charlton Lido July 2020
Not long to go…

Swimmers have just two weeks to wait until they can take their first dip at Charlton Lido after coronavirus restrictions are eased.

Better, which runs the pool and gym, will reopen the lido and outdoor fitness classes on Monday 29 March, along with other outdoor facilities in Greenwich borough.

The lido has seen a surge in custom during the pandemic, but was forced to close on 5 January when the national lockdown was introduced.

Swimmers will need to download the Better app to book sessions and are being asked to arrive ‘beach ready’ with their costume on under their clothes. Fitness class customers are encouraged to shower and change at home.

Outdoor adventure playgrounds are also reopening, as are outdoor athletics and fitness classes at Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre. Further afield, outdoor facilities at Thamesmere Leisure Centre and outdoor football at Coldharbour Leisure Centre will also resume. There is also a Better at Home digital membership with online exercise classes, which are free to Greenwich residents.

Richard Gallagher, Better’s partnership manager in Greenwich said: “We can’t wait to welcome customers back to our outdoor facilities again. With swimming, fitness classes, football, athletics and adventure play all available at various locations across the borough, there will be plenty of options available for residents to begin getting active again after lockdown.”

Adel Khaireh, Greenwich Council’s cabinet member for culture, communities and equalities, said: “Our leisure centres are valuable community assets and play a central role in supporting the wellbeing of our residents, and they’re more important than ever after a prolonged period at home.”

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHARLTON CHAMPION

We tell the SE7 stories you won’t read elsewhere. We can’t do it without your help.
– Please tell us about your news and events
– Become a monthly supporter at presspatron.com/charltonchampion
– Donate to our running costs at paypal.me/charltonchampion

Lockdown 2: Charlton Lido users hope petition will save open-air swimming

Darryl Chamberlain
Charlton Lido pool
Autumn at Charlton Lido. Photo © Neil Clasper.

Last week, we reported that Charlton Lido would be opening during the day all through November. New swimmers have discovered the lido during lockdown, and it is the first time since the pool reopened that swimming has been available during the colder, darker months.

The new English lockdown puts a stop to this from Thursday:

To reduce social contact, the Government has ordered certain businesses and venues to close. These include indoor and outdoor leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres, archery and shooting ranges, water and theme parks.

A petition has been created to convince the government that open-air facilities such as Charlton Lido should be an exception.

Open-air swimming pools should remain open:
●WHO & Gov state that transmission of Covid-19 outdoors is lower
●CDCP states “no evidence that Covid-19 can spread to people through recreational water”
● WHO states that chlorine kills Covid-19

The petition can be found at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/555079.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHARLTON CHAMPION

We tell the SE7 stories you won’t read elsewhere. We can’t do it without your help.
– Please tell us about your news and events
– NEW! Become a monthly supporter at presspatron.com/charltonchampion
– Donate to our running costs at paypal.me/charltonchampion

Charlton Lido: November pool hours announced and Swim Doctor returns

Neil Clasper

Charlton Lido at dawn

Today brought good news for Charlton Lido swimmers with the announcement that the current opening times will be extended through November. In previous years the timetable has been cut back in winter with the heated pool closed on some weekdays. The centre was one of the first to reopen after lockdown and has been busy since with swimmers taking the opportunity to exercise outdoors.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The pool opening times are:

  • Monday-Friday: 6.30am to 8.30pm
  • Saturday-Sunday: 9am to 5pm

Advanced booking is necessary, through the website or Better app.

Swim Doctor returns

We’ve also learnt that the centre’s popular Swim Doctor sessions will restart in November – a chance for adults to improve their swimming technique and fitness. Booking opens October 28th via the app or website, with the first sessions starting Tuesday 3rd November at 9:30am, then Friday 7am & Saturday 11am. Spaces will be limited and must be pre-booked.

In other lido news, the pool covers were recently replaced, which has – in this writer’s experience at least – improved the average water temperature, particularly in the mornings.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHARLTON CHAMPION

We tell the SE7 stories you won’t read elsewhere. We can’t do it without your help.
– Please tell us about your news and events
– NEW! Become a monthly supporter at presspatron.com/charltonchampion
– Donate to our running costs at paypal.me/charltonchampion

Summer hours to stay at Charlton Lido as autumn draws in

Darryl Chamberlain

Charlton Lido pool
Autumn has arrived at Charlton Lido. Photo © Neil Clasper.

Autumn may be making its presence felt, but for the first time since it reopened with a heated pool, Charlton Lido is to keep its summer hours as the nights draw in and the temperature drops.

The pool timetable will stay the same during October, although will be reviewed as the months go on.

In previous years, the winter hours have seen the pool closed at lunchtimes and on a couple of weekdays, but for now the pool remains open from 6.30am to 8pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm at weekends.

What’s more, we hear that new pool covers are being installed this week so the water should be warmer, particularly in the mornings.

There is still no walk-up entry – you’ll need to book online or via the Better app to swim.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHARLTON CHAMPION

We tell the SE7 stories you won’t read elsewhere. We can’t do it without your help.
– Please tell us about your news and events
– NEW! Become a monthly supporter at presspatron.com/charltonchampion
– Advertise your business with us from just £9.80/per week
– Donate to our running costs at paypal.me/charltonchampion

Charlton Lido reopens to swimmers after lockdown: What’s it like?

Neil Clasper
Charlton Lido July 2020
Charlton Lido at opening time on Sunday morning

Charlton Lido became one of the first outdoor pools in the country to reopen this weekend, after the government lifted some restrictions on exercise and recreational activities on Thursday. The centre’s operator, Better, have made some changes to accommodate new guidance on safe operation in the new, Covid-aware world – we went along for a dip to find out more.

 

The first important change is that you need to book online or via the Better app – no walk-ins at the moment. I made a booking very easily via the app using my membership but know that some others have had issues; anecdotally, the centre are resolving these quite quickly. Swim sessions are 50 minutes, with 10 minutes presumably for cleaning.

Swimmers enter through the reception in the usual way and exit post-swim from one of the poolside fire exits. The indoor changing rooms are out of action, but the toilets are available, along with the poolside cubicles, showers and lockers.

Swimming is adults-only at the moment, and the pool has been divided into five lanes, each going in an anti-clockwise direction. Under government guidance butterfly and backstroke aren’t allowed (presumably these are either too splashy or they bring increased risk of contact with other swimmers). The car park is now pay-by-mobile.

From my experience the new system was working well, and I was impressed by the staffs’ efforts in explaining the new processes to swimmers as they came into the centre and again poolside. It was emphasised that the centre is going through a learning process, and the above may change over time – as may government guidance. We’re told that ‘full service’ resumes on July 25 but they are hopeful of running some outdoor fitness activities including spin classes before then. In the meantime, we advise keeping an eye on the website for the latest opening hours.

Charlton Lido

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHARLTON CHAMPION

We tell the SE7 stories you won’t read elsewhere. We can’t do it without your help.
– Please tell us about your news and events
– Become a monthly supporter at presspatron.com/charltonchampion
– Advertise your business with us from just £9.80/per week
– Celebrate our neighbourhood and order postcards or a print

Charlton Lido: Winter swimming hours announced

Neil Clasper
Charlton Lido pool
Autumn has arrived at Charlton Lido. Photo © Neil Clasper.

The nights are drawing in, the leaves are turning brown and this week brought another local indicator of changing seasons: Charlton Lido’s winter swimming timetable came into effect. The heated pool is now open:

  • Monday: 06:30-14:00 and 16:00-20:00
  • Tuesday: 06:30-14:00 and 16:00-20:00
  • Wednesday: closed
  • Thursday: closed
  • Friday: 06:30-14:00
  • Saturday: 09:00-17:00
  • Sun: 09:00-17:00

Swim Doctor sessions continue as through the summer, with the exception of Thursdays:

  • Monday: 19:00-20:00
  • Tuesday: 09:30-10:30 and 12:30-13:30
  • Friday: 07:00-08:30 and 09:30-10:30

Thanks to Friends of Charlton Lido for posting the new timetable on Twitter. Find the official website timetable here, and follow Tracy Swim Doctor on Twitter here.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHARLTON CHAMPION

We tell the SE7 stories you won’t read elsewhere. We can’t do it without your help.
– Please tell us about your news and events
– NEW! Become a monthly supporter at presspatron.com/charltonchampion
– Advertise your business with us from just £9.80/per week
– Donate to our running costs at paypal.me/charltonchampion

Late swimming at Charlton Lido for the heatwave

Darryl Chamberlain
Charlton Lido
Swim until 9pm this week

You may have noticed that it’s a little bit warm outside. Today, tomorrow and Thursday, Charlton Lido will be open until 9pm each evening to allow swimmers to cool off for longer during the hot spell. Or you could beat the crowds and go for an early-doors dip at 6.30am.

Whichever you prefer, you can book your swimming time on the GLL website.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHARLTON CHAMPION

We tell the SE7 stories you won’t read elsewhere. We can’t do it without your help.
– Please tell us about your news and events
– NEW! Advertise your business with us from £10 per week
– Become a monthly supporter at patreon.com/charltonchampion
– Donate to our running costs at paypal.me/charltonchampion
– Buy Darryl a coffee at ko-fi.com