40 Buildings Saved

8. Jubilee Pool, Penzance

Status: Listed Grade II
Architect: Captain F. Latham
Owners: Community owned
Location: Battery Road, Penzance

Background

Designed between 1931-4 by Captain F. Latham, the Borough Engineer of Penzance, and opened the following year. Jutting out from the Battery Rocks into Mount’s Bay, the tidal pool was an impressive feat of engineering. It is one of the best surviving pieces of Art Deco architecture in the country.

Threat

There were reports of structural weakness and a desire by the council to redevelop the site with a covered leisure complex.

Action

There were many objectors to the leisure centre scheme including the C20 Society which in 1991 published a report ‘Farewell my Lido’ to draw attention to the plight of lidos nationally, encouraging local groups to take them over from local authorities. Local architect John Clarke set up The Jubilee Pool Association to secure essential grant funding for restoration. C20 gave support and advice on a successful listing application and the pool has become important for regeneration in the town. A further restoration project was carried out when winter storms caused major damage to the pool in 2014, and a project for geothermal heating a section of it for year-round use is nearing completion.

Outcome

The pool was listed Grade II in March 1993 and transferred into community ownership in 2017.