A new association has been launched with a mission to unify campaigners working to protect and restore Britain’s heritage swimming baths and lidos.

Historic Pools of Britain will aim to provide a shared voice for the hundreds of indoor and outdoor pools in the UK, most of which pre-date 1939. It will serve to celebrate the social and architectural contributions of these sites and underline the role they have to play today in helping communities stay active, particularly as the number of British pools continues to decrease.

Many of the Britain’s heritage baths are currently in a fragile state. For example, there are 116 listed baths buildings, of which only 52 are operational or in the process of being refurbished.

There has, however, been somewhat of a renaissance for baths of late. Architecture practice Studio Octopi are currently working to resurrect Peckham Rye Lido – and are also bidding to create floating baths on the Thames – while developer and operator Thames Lido is aiming to replicate its Bristol Lido success on a new project in Reading.

Historic Pools of Britain hopes to provide a platform to help bring more historic baths back into being. It is being steered by Gill Wright, who for 20 years has led the campaign for the country’s finest Edwardian pool, Victoria Baths in Manchester. She is inspired by the growing number of community run pools and knows how valuable these buildings are for their local neighbourhoods.

“These groups are looking after some amazing buildings and pools, which can not only provide the public with unique swimming experiences, but also tell the stories of our sporting and social history,” said Wright.

“This is an opportunity above all else to share our knowledge and experience through better connectivity between everyone involved in the rescue, restoration and running of historic swimming pools, from small community groups through to larger operating companies and local authorities.”

For communities and organisations to find out more about how to become a member, email: [email protected]