Chester City Baths' historic Pacific Pool is set to reopen in autumn 2026, six years after it closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, following a major fundraising campaign and a significant charitable donation from the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation.
Background and Closure
The Pacific and Atlantic pools were both drained when the baths shut during the pandemic. However, draining the Pacific Pool caused its original Victorian tiles to crack, leaving the historic pool in need of extensive restoration work before it could be used again. A public fundraising campaign was launched to repair the damage. Although the restoration work was completed, trustees said soaring energy costs following the pandemic meant reopening the second pool was no longer financially viable. Instead, they made the decision to keep the Atlantic Pool open while delaying the reopening of the Pacific Pool to protect the long-term future of the charity.
Donation Enables Reopening
Trustees at Chester City Baths have now confirmed that the Victorian Pacific Pool will reopen thanks to a major donation from the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation. Chairman Brian McCann said: "From the moment the Pacific Pool closed during the pandemic, the directors have been working towards reopening it at the earliest possible opportunity. We are delighted that we can now confirm its return in autumn 2026."
Iceland’s Sir Malcolm Walker added: "I'm delighted that the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation has been able to help get the Pacific Pool back up and running again, as I know what a huge blow it was to many of our Iceland colleagues, customers and indeed the city as a whole when it closed down during the Covid pandemic. We're committed to supporting families, strengthening communities and making life better for the younger generation in particular, so a project like reopening the Pacific Pool could not be more in tune with our aims."
Impact and History
The reopening is expected to allow the baths to expand its Learn to Swim programme, increase aquatic fitness and wellbeing classes, and provide more pool time for swimming clubs based at the city centre venue. Chester City Baths first opened in 1901 and has been at the heart of the city's swimming community for more than 120 years. The Grade II-listed building remains one of the country's oldest public swimming baths still in operation, offering swimming lessons, fitness sessions and opportunities for aquatic sports. Further details on reopening dates and the new programme of activities will be announced closer to the launch.
