The government has announced that a private property management company is set to take over management of the Lido next year, winning the tender over community group Love Our Lido.

First Point Property Services – which specialises in events and property management, and is currently involved in the running of La Frégate – will take over the Havre Des Pas café, pool, showers and toilets rent-free, and with £66,000 from government every year to maintain the historic swimming facility.

If the lease is approved by politicians, the company will take over the venue after the current agreement expires on Christmas Eve and move in on 1 January 2026.

St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft said First Point would “enhance community involvement and improve the range of activities available at Havre des Pas”, adding that the new arrangement would be “a positive step” for islanders.

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said: “This agreement, following a thorough process, gives the Lido the fresh start that everyone has recognised is needed.

“I’m grateful to all parties who participated in the expressions of interest process and look forward to working constructively with First Point.”

The tender process

First Point Property Services was one of two contenders in the tender process to take over the running of the Lido.

The decision was ultimately made by the selection panel made up of St Helier Deputies Mary Le Hegarat and Inna Gardiner, alongside the Co-Op’s Property Director.

The Lido has been managed by Marcus Calvani’s BeServed Group since 2015 – but negotiations over a new lease collapsed in 2024. Protests contributed to making the Lido a political issue.

In the aftermath, a group called “Love Our Lido” was formed with the backing of Deputy David Warr and government’s Lido Steering Group.

It promised to become a charity and run the site as a community pool, with governors including distance swimming legend Sally Minty-Gravett.

Love Our Lido was given “preferred bidder” status in July, but its leaders refused to sign the lease over what they said were “significant cost uncertainties” around electricity and water. It is understood the selection panel also had questions about whether they could achieve charity status.

After talks collapsed, Deputy Warr made a last-ditch attempt to secure a lease for Love Our Lido, lodging a proposition this week in which he asked the States Assembly to give the lease to Love Our Lido and give it £170,000 annual funding.

In any case, the new operator will be under pressure, as the condition of the Lido, the paintwork, and the facilities available are a long-standing gripe for the island’s swimmers.

Jersey’s Lido has been recognised on a number of lists of the best saltwater and sea pools. In 2024, it was included in a Times article showcasing 14 of the UK’s “best saltwater and tidal pools”.

A year before that, it appeared in a book titled “Sea Pools: 66 saltwater sanctuaries from around the world”, by architect Chris Romer-Lee – who described it as “a sensuous shape, caressing the beach in a glorious and gracious sling of concrete”.

The Lido is also due to be featured in the new series of Bergerac, benefitting from a new paint job in the lead-up.