Chester City Baths Announces Reopening of the Pacific Pool in Autumn 2026
The Trustees of Chester City Baths Limited are delighted to announce that the Pacific Pool will reopen in Autumn 2026, marking a major milestone in the Baths’ post-pandemic recovery and future development.
📺 Update: Since publishing this announcement, our reopening has also been featured by the BBC.
Read their coverage here>
Both the Pacific and Atlantic Pools were closed and drained during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the process of draining the Pacific Pool caused the Victorian tiles lining the pool to crack, necessitating extensive repair work before the pool could safely reopen.
In response, the Baths launched a fundraising campaign to restore the Pacific Pool. Thanks to substantive contributions from members of the public plus funding from Cheshire West and Chester Council through the Cheshire West Crowd, and generous donations from the Ursula Keyes Trust and the Earl of Chester Fund, the Baths were able to replace the damaged tiles and complete the necessary restoration work.
However, world economic events intervened causing significant increased energy costs. The Trustees quickly recognised that, in order to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Baths, it made sense for the Pacific Pool to remain closed in order for the Atlantic Pool to stay operational until reopening of the second pool became financially viable.
As featured by the BBC
We’re delighted that the reopening of the Pacific Pool has also been featured by the BBC, helping to share this important milestone with an even wider audience.
Read the BBC News article: Chester Victorian pool to reopen after Covid closure and restoration
Brian McCann, Chair of the Trustees of Chester City Baths Limited, 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.”
The reopening of the Pacific Pool has been made possible by a very generous donation from the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF). It will enable the Baths to significantly expand its Learn to Swim programme, offer a wider range of aquatic fitness and wellbeing classes, and provide additional pool time for the aquatic sports clubs based at the Baths. These developments closely support two of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation’s key objectives: improving the wellbeing of local communities and creating opportunities for children and young people to thrive
Sir Malcolm Walker Trustee of Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation said: “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.”
The Trustees would like to thank all those who have supported the campaign over the past several years. The reopening of the Pacific Pool represents not only the restoration of a historic facility but also a significant investment in the health, wellbeing and future of the Chester community for generations to come.
As a charity, donations remain so important to us in order to continue providing the pool services if you would like to support us please donate here.
Further details regarding reopening dates and programme schedules will be announced in due course.
About Chester City Baths
Chester City Baths has served as the city’s aquatic heart and a valued community hub in the centre of Chester since opening in 1901. For generations, local residents have learned to swim, participated in aquatic sports and enjoyed the unique experience of swimming in one of the city’s most historic public buildings.
Today, the Baths offer a wide range of facilities, programmes and activities for people of all ages and abilities, providing a welcoming and supportive environment that promotes health, fitness and wellbeing across the community.
Chester City Baths Limited is dedicated to preserving this historic facility for future generations while ensuring it continues to meet the needs of the community it serves. Through its commitment to swimming, sport and inclusion, the Baths remain a place where people can come together, stay active and improve their wellbeing.
About Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF)
Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF) has raised over £38 million to support projects across four key areas: Dementia, Environment, Wellbeing, and Children.
Major contributions include £10m towards the new UK Dementia Research Institute opening in 2027, more than £5m to Alzheimer’s Research UK, £1.5m to Alzheimer’s Society, and over £1m to The National Brain Appeal to help create the world’s first Rare Dementia Support Centre, opening in 2026.
We have partnered with The UK Sepsis Trust to codevelop national awareness resources, donated £1.5m to Prostate Cancer UK, and helped promote their 30second risk checker. We have given over £1.4m to CALM, uniting people against suicide, and more than £6m to children’s charities, including urgent support for families through Action for Children.
IFCF also inspired a million hours of nature engagement for young people through Backyard Nature and proudly funds the SAS Million Mile Clean, empowering thousands of volunteers to protect beaches, rivers and communities across the UK.
Find us on:
Instagram: @icelandcharity
Facebook: @IcelandFoodsCharitableFoundation
LinkedIn: @Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation
X: @IcelandCharity