Get involved
If you live in Bristol and support this project, there is something you can do today to help make it a reality.
For those of you living in the BS5 or BS16 areas of Bristol, a short email (see template emails below) to your local councillors and MP will make a real difference. Councillors and MPs listen closely to residents, and hearing directly from you will show just how strongly our community wants this project.
If you live anywhere else in Bristol, please email your MP (template below) to make sure they know how much Bristol wants a People’s Pool to happen.
You can find your local councillors and MP, along with their email addresses, using the WriteToThem website here.
For your LOCAL COUNCILLORS (particularly BS5 and BS16 people) email template - simply copy and paste to an email
Subject: Please support the Community Asset Transfer for the Eastville Park Lido
Dear [Find details of your local councillors and your MP here]
I’m writing as a local resident to express my strong support for the Community Asset Transfer of the Old Bowling Green in Eastville Park to the Eastville Park Lido CIC.
East Bristol has no outdoor swimming provision, and existing facilities across the city are oversubscribed and unaffordable. As your own JSNA data shows, our neighbourhoods face some of the highest health inequalities in Bristol, including elevated premature mortality and childhood obesity rates. A community‑run lido would directly help address these issues by providing affordable, inclusive, nature‑rich physical activity close to home.
Eastville Park Lido - the People’s Pool -has overwhelming public backing: 2,289 survey responses with 97.7% support, plus thousands of petition signatures. Independent analysis by Global City Futures forecasts £27.7m in social value over 10 years, with the lido forecast to generate a surplus by Year 5 and contribute funds back into our Parks and community projects.
This project will create 15–20 local jobs, strengthen community cohesion, and deliver a flagship public health asset that aligns fully with Bristol’s One City and Parks & Green Spaces strategies. I urge you to support the CAT so this long‑needed community facility can move forward.
Kind regards
Your Name
Your Postcode
For your MP (all Bristol residents) email template - simply copy and paste to an email
Subject: Support for Eastville Park Lido – a vital community health asset
Dear [Find details of your MP here],
I’m writing as a constituent to ask for your support for the Eastville Park Lido project and its Community Asset Transfer application.
East Bristol is one of the city’s most diverse and disadvantaged areas, yet it has no accessible outdoor swimming provision. Local JSNA data shows significantly higher premature mortality and childhood obesity than the Bristol average. A community‑owned lido would provide affordable, inclusive physical activity, social connection, and a safe alternative to dangerous river swimming.
The project has exceptional community backing: 2,289 survey responses, with 97.7% supporting the lido, and thousands of petition signatures. Independent analysis from Global City Futures shows a benefit‑cost ratio over 5:1 and more than £19m Net Present Social Value, demonstrating outstanding value for public investment and alignment with national priorities on health, wellbeing, and chiming with the Prime Minister’s recent call for “good growth in every postcode”.
The lido will create local jobs, provide culturally sensitive programming (including women‑only, Muslim‑only, LGBTQIA+ and disability‑friendly sessions), and deliver a nature‑rich public space shaped by and for the community. I would be grateful if you could support this project publicly and encourage Bristol City Council to approve the CAT.
Kind regards
Your Name
Your Address
Your Postcode
