Ian Brown once famously said that 'Manchester has everything except a beach'. He could have also added that we don't have any outdoor pools or lidos anymore - but that's not quite as succinct.
At one point we did though. There was an open-air swimming pool in Rochdale called the Riviera. Located just off Edenfield Road in Norden, it was dubbed 'Rochdale by the sea' for those who could not afford a trip away to the seaside. Fully heated and equipped with diving boards, slides and spectators stands, it was the place to be.
Other lost water parks and pools include The Galleon in East Didsbury, which was referred to as "Manchester's first outdoor swimming pool", but was demolished in the 1980s, and the Lido in Alexandra Park, which was initially only for the use of men and boys. But thankfully, change is coming. Work is already well underway on the £250m indoor Therme water park next to the Trafford Centre, which will open in 2025.
