PEOPLE in Barry have made calls to build a new lido, saying the town is in “dire need” of one.
Barry residents are urging the Vale Council – as well as local decision makers – to take “immediate action” in planning and funding a new lido in the town.
Until the 1990s, Barry was home to the Cold Knap Bathing Pool which was one of the largest open-air swimming pools in the UK, measuring roughly 110m long and 18m wide.
It was opened on 1 May, 1926, but by 1996 the pool closed due to rising operating costs and declining numbers of visitors. In March 2004 the buildings at the lido were demolished and the pool was infilled.
Now residents are calling for a new swimming pool to be built in Barry. At the time of writing, a petition to build the new lido has gathered 1,179 signatures.
It reads: “It has become increasingly clear that our community is in dire need of a new, modern, future-proof swimming pool and water-based leisure facility.
“Such an amenity would not only revive the vibrant spirit that once thrived at the Knap Lido but also serve as a vital asset for the residents and an alluring attraction for visitors.”
Campaigners say the lido would “enrich our local culture” by promoting health, wellbeing, and community togetherness.
One comment on the petition reads: “Since the pool was removed there is very little on summer days for the kids and families. I have great memories of the pool and would love to see it return.”
The petition adds: “The presence of a controlled, secure pool environment also has the potential to save lives by minimising the risks associated with open-water swimming, particularly among children and inexperienced swimmers.”
A spokesman for the Vale Council said: “Barry benefits from a fantastic range of leisure and recreation facilities including Barry Island, its beaches and parks, alongside a wide variety of sporting, cultural, and recreational opportunities enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
“This strong offer is reflected in the record levels of usage at Barry Leisure Centre, with 492,649 admissions recorded between August 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026, alongside more than 2,000 customers taking part in swimming lessons.
“We recognise the strong interest in bringing a lido back to Barry, as well as the affection and nostalgia many people have for the town’s former outdoor swimming facilities. With renewed interest in lidos and outdoor swimming across the UK, it is understandable that people are interested in whether something similar could form part of Barry’s future leisure offer.
“While there are currently no specific council proposals to develop a new lido in Barry, we would not want to rule out opportunities to enhance the town’s leisure and visitor offer.”
By Kieran Molloy, Local Democracy Reporter
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