It was a hub of seaside fun and bustle where families could spend hours splashing about.
Now, 30 years after it was closed, a large part of Margate’s famous lido complex has fallen due to heavy rains in Kent.
Dramatic photos taken on Monday following the drama show how a portion of the rooftop carpark collapsed on itself, sparking safety concerns for the whole building.
The lido was built by John Henry Iles, the creator of Margate’s celebrated Dreamland pleasure park, in the 1920s – when the town was a haven for Britons who went on seaside holidays in their droves.
It was a lively part of the town up until the 1970s when it was last used for a disco.
The swimming pool, where Tracey Emin learned to swim, was finally closed in the 1980s.
Margate has been a poor area of the country for decades due to the decline of traditional seaside holidays.
However, a recent revival has seen the town become a hub for trendy cafés, antique shops, art galleries and bistros, following an onslaught of young Londoners keen to escape sky-high mortgage rates in the capital.
It was a hub of seaside fun and bustling activity where families could spend hours splashing about. After heavy rains in Kent, a part of Margate’s famous lido complex has fallen 30 years later.
Dramatic photos taken Monday after the drama unfolded show how a part of the rooftop parking area collapsed in on itself, raising safety concerns for the entire building.
The lido (pictured in 1936) was built by John Henry Iles, the creator of Margate’s celebrated Dreamland pleasure park, in the 1920s – when the town was a haven for Britons who went on seaside holidays in their droves
The history of the abandoned Lido site goes back more than 200 years. The Clifton Baths, which were built in 1824, used the site initially.
They were included in the 2008 list due to their significance in British seaside history, as they are one of the oldest surviving sea bathing establishments.
The remains of the baths, which are all subterranean in appearance, serve as a fascinating reminder about the beginnings and evolution of seaside tourism.
The Art Deco lido was founded in 1926. It was transformed into a large modern seaside resort with bars, cafes, restaurants on multiple levels and an open-air swimming pool.
These buildings were built on top of the Clifton Baths remaining, laid out over a series terraces.
The complex was renamed Cliftonville Lido in the 1930s.
Through the 1970s, the Lido Cliff Bar was a popular spot for the local underground and alternative music scene. Local bands Deadpan, Company Policy and North by Northwest took to the stage.
The site is in the hands of administrators Duff & Phelps and was previously run by private firm Stour Side Investments.
It was difficult to find a scheme that would preserve the site’s history and not compromise the seafront location.
Tracey Emin learned to swim at the Lido’s pool. Above: The artist at the Lido in 2019.
Although it is unclear what caused the collapse of the roof, heavy rain is believed have been a contributing factor. Above: A bird’s eye view of the section of the fallen roof of the car park
Thanet District Council spokesmen said that the Lido Car Park was privately owned. However, the council’s Building Control Team will be installing barriers in the parking lot and along the coast path to ensure safety for the public. They will also be liaising closely with the owners.
The 200-year-old history behind the abandoned lido site is long. The Clifton Baths were originally located on the site in 1824.
The Margate pool hosted the Miss Lido contest several times during its peak years. Pictured: Pamela Harvey (left), 20, who was Miss Lido in 1953; Daphne Hickson from Barnet pictured at the Grace and Bearing Contest at Cliftonville Lido, Margate in 1949
Many people are seen sitting on stands at Margate’s Lido while others take a dip into the pool. This 1950 image was taken.
Cliftonville Bathing Pool, Kent, 1954 John Henry Iles constructed Margate’s beachfront lido in 1926.
The perfect leg contest at Cliftonville swimming pool was won by the 1937 entrants. Margate was once popular with Britons who wanted to go on a holiday by the seaside.
Sunday Dispatch Pushball, Clifton Baths Bathing pool in Margate. The lido was once very popular, but it fell apart with the decline of the town.
The seafront at Cliftonville and Margate in Kent, 1890-1910 before the construction of the lido complex. Women are seen wearing parasols to protect themselves from the sun.
The Lido in its glory days. People line the edge of this pool to enjoy the view of people having fun.
There are many options, including reviving Lido and making it mix-use with retail, food outlets, and venue hire.
Even holiday accommodation has been thought of, with one father-son developer duo looking to build a 110-bed Hotel and 94 self catering apartments.
Thanet District Council spokesmen said that the Lido Car Park was privately owned. However, the council’s Building Control team would be installing barriers in the parking lot and along the coast path to ensure safety for the public. They also liaised with the owners.
Margate has been a popular tourist spot for those who travel the short distance between London and Kent since the early 18th century.
The Second World War brought heavy destruction to the town, with about 3,000 bombs falling down on it and destroying almost 300 buildings.
A major storm in 1953 didn’t help its recovery efforts, but by the 1960s, Margate had a great vibe and families were flocking to Margate for their holidays.
Arguably, Dreamland was the main attraction. Its centerpiece was the Scenic Railway. However, it was closed in 2005 due to a series fires and declining numbers.
After repeated disputes over its future, the park was reopened ten years later. It did reopen in 2017, even though it fell back into administration.
Margate Lido in Kent is pictured in 2004, after it had been filled with sand since its closure around 20 years ago.
Arguably, Dreamland was the main attraction. Its centerpiece was the Scenic Railway. But, due to a series fires and declining numbers, it was closed in 2005.
A view of Margate’s beach front, August 10, 2010. Margate (England), August 10, 2010. After domestic beachside holidays became less popular, the town experienced a steep decline. Dreamland, the famous theme park in the town, was closed in 2003. It was reopened in 2016 after a failed relaunch. Following renewed interest in the town, the park reported its most successful year in 2019 with 700,000 visitors throughout the year.
A derelict seaside arcade was found on Margate’s seafront on August 2, 2011, in England. More than 40% of Margate’s shops closed in 2012 Arlington Parade, located under the tower block Arlington House, was once home to gift shops that sold buckets and spades as well as sticks of rock and bargain knickknacks. The Joke Shop of the town was always located in the arched area.
High unemployment and child poverty rates have also hampered efforts to revitalize the town over the years. Many shops were forced to close in Margate High Street following the construction and opening of Westfield Cross. The High Street is still waiting for the revival.
The Parade, Old Town Margate, is a colorful area with cafes, floral decoration, and colorful housing. Smart boutiques, bistros, cafes and cafes have sprouted up along Margate’s streets. Pete’s Fish Factory, which was established on The Parade in 1984 has survived the storm and is now flooded with selife-loving visitors in the summer.
The Turner Contemporary art gallery opened in 2011, attracting tourists from all over the country and visitors from abroad. This gave the town a boost. The gallery replaced The Ship Inn, a popular seafront boozer that was the main rival to the Lido before it was destroyed as part of the revamp.
After the decline of domestic holidays, the town became a hive for unemployment and business failures. Nearly 40% of shops were abandoned and an equal number of people lived on benefits.
Mary Portas, a retail expert and author, famously offered her expertise to aid the town’s recovery.
She filmed a TV programme there and, in 2012, opened two shops as part of a scheme which saw 27 ‘Portas pilot’ areas around the country receive a portion of a £1.2million pot of government cash to help them regenerate.
The Turner Contemporary art gallery opened in 2011 and gave the town a boost. It attracted tourists from all over the world as well as visitors from the country.
Smart boutiques, bistros, cafes and restaurants have sprouted up along Margate’s streets leading to Margate’s beach in recent years.
Margate Museum director Ian Dickie stated to Geographical in 2019: “Up until 2010, this location was really in the doldrums. It was really from 1970 to 2010.
“Now tourists are coming back. 2011 saw the Turner Contemporary opening. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
“Not everyone likes the building or its concept. It brings thousands to the town.
“The place is looking more alive.” There are many art galleries, and many retro shops.
“We used to call them junk stores years ago, but now they’re retro.”
Londoners frustrated by sky-high rents in London are now looking for better and more affordable places to live.
Amy Redmond, one of the two, moved to Florida in 2014 and founded the Margate Arts Club together with Luke Vandenberg.
She told the Evening Standard: The nature of artist-led regeneration is that we find places we can practice our art, be creative, put on parties and be ourselves, and Margate provides such a welcoming platform to do this.
“It boasts a beautiful coastline, fresh air and culture; the town is full of magic.”
Cecily Mullins, a music agent, stated that she came to visit her and decided to buy a home where she would enjoy living. She also said that she preferred a place with a sense of community to London’s outskirts.