Bedford Borough Council has said it is “pleased” with the response to the marketing to sell Oasis Beach Pool.
In September, the council launched a bidding process for the “much-loved” site.
Cllr Sarah Gallagher (Conservative, Shortstown), portfolio holder for customer experience, leisure and culture, said the council was looking for a partner to bring “fresh vision and energy” to the “important” site.
Read: Oasis Beach Pool site up for sale after controversial closure plan
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked the council how many of the bids had been short-listed, and when the preferred bidder would be announced.
A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson said: “The council are [sic] pleased with the response to the marketing of the Oasis Beach Pool site for alternative leisure provision, undertaken through Colliers acting on its behalf.
“Offers have been received and are being reviewed at the current time.
“A decision for approval of alternative leisure use for the Oasis Beach Pool and adjacent land is on the council’s Notice of Forthcoming Decisions for January 2026.”
Swimming in controversy
Oasis Beach Pool on Cardington Road has faced a turbulent recent history. Opened in 1991, the facility remained a key part of the borough’s aquatic offering for decades.
In May 2024, it was reopened after a £500,000 investment in new boilers, lighting, ventilation and repairs, managed by operator GLL.
Read: Oasis Beach Pool announces half-term launch party following £500,000 investment
Despite that investment, a review by Bedford Borough Council determined that the pool was not financially viable in its current form.
It is estimated that the site required over £900,000 per year to run, including energy costs, and that the building would need more than £7 million in structural repairs to remain operational.
The council therefore recommended the pool’s permanent closure and, in November 2024, agreed to include that recommendation in its emerging Sport and Leisure Strategy 2024-2034.
The decision prompted sharp criticism from the opposition and local residents. Liberal Democrat councillors accused the council of mis-spending taxpayers’ money on the recent refurbishment, only to propose closure almost immediately afterwards.
Read: Goodbye Fusion: Council won’t extend controversial leisure operator’s Bedford contract
One councillor described the situation as “scandalous”. At the time, mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) acknowledged the pool’s decline but rejected suggestions of mismanagement, pointing to poor maintenance under prior administrations.
By October 2025, the council announced that the pool would be closed for the winter period as a pause while longer-term options for the 6.29-acre site were explored, including seeking a partner to acquire and redevelop it under a long-leasehold arrangement for leisure use.
The winter closure was described as a financially prudent step given the building’s age, high running costs, and the facility’s traditional quiet season.
By John Guinn, Local Democracy Reporter
Additional reporting by Paul Hutchinson, Bedford Independent
