Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company Gala Ball

Chamber members, Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company has been set up by local volunteers, all passionate and committed to safeguarding Saltdean Lido and creating a sustainable future for it.

The CIC is a new type of company introduced in 2005 and designed for social enterprises whose profits are reinvested into the business or into the community, rather than being distributed to shareholders and owners. CICs have a special legal restriction  - what's called an 'asset lock' - which means anything the company owns has to be used for the benefit of the community, and the people behind Saltdean Lido chose it because it helps guarantee funds raised in the Lido will be available and in safe keeping for the community for generations to come.

The long term plan for Saltdean Lido CIC is to safeguard and provide a sustainable future for the site by providing all year-round leisure, recreational & community facilities whilst being an iconic visitor destination for Brighton.

Over the last 2 years the volunteer group have a developed and robust business plan and have the experience to over-haul the site to provide all year-round leisure, recreational and community facilities whilst being an iconic visitor destination. They have already submitted multi million pound funding applications to various grantors and are in ongoing discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund. The CIC will also be launching a Community Share Scheme later this year to help fund the renovation costs of the project. This will enable supporters to become owners of the Lido with a direct say in its future.

But in the meantime there are other much needed funds  required to start the essential work required on the building, so that it can open by 2016.

So the next major fundraising event will be The Saltdean LidoGala Ball which is being held at The Grand Hotel in Brighton on Saturday 4th October 2014 and that tickets are now on sale.

The night will include an exclusive and intimate "unplugged" session with Chris Difford from 70's band Squeeze. Chris will be playing an intimate and unplugged session of all their hit singles which include Labelled with Love, Cool for Cats, Black Coffee in Bed and Up The Junction to name just a few.

The evening also includes a sumptuous 3 course meal and fundraising auction. Tickets are £60 per head or £600 for a table of 10.

When restored the Lido will offer all year round sports and recreational facilities including a heated swimming pool, an art deco restaurant and bar and a public library. For this to happen the CIC needs to raise several million pounds and if successful hope to have the Lido open by summer 2016. AS an iconic Brighton building the CIC really hope that the Brighton business community will come together to help support all of their past, current and future efforts by attending the event.

So to book your tickets for this inaugural black tie event and help celebrate past success and support the planning for the future of Saltdean Lido, please go to www.saltdeanlido.co.uk​

Written by Tracey Allen, Director of SEA PR Consultancy

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