Ainsdale can be great again

WHEN the bulldozers tore down Ainsdale Lido in 2007, a concrete memorial was formed to thousands of seaside memories.

Southport Corporation built the lido in 1933 for £30,000. The site, known as Ainsdale Bathing Centre, soared during the inter-war period when thousands of workers jumped on trains to be beside the seaside.

Used as a naval base during World War II, the site later failed to recapture its glory years and struggled to compete with Blackpool. The lido’s cafe became Ainsdale Discovery centre in 1999, and the bulldozers demolished the rest of the site eight years later.

Toad Hall, originally built as part of the Ainsdale-on-Sea dream, still stands. But the building has been an eyesore for years.

Ainsdale councillor Terry Jones and former councillor Ted Hartill now feel enough is enough, and have met Sefton Council’s chief executive Margaret Carney. The two called for the lido to be restored, and for Toad Hall to be sold soon to a major tourism operator.

Mr Hartill told the Visiter that Ainsdale has a beautiful beach and the area’s potential as tourist mecca has taken second place to conservationism in recent years.

The Visiter agrees. Above all, Southport is a classic resort. The beach is for families and its potential should now be realised.