Finchley Lido Leisure Centre Consultation 2022

Update: 12 April 2023

As a Council that cares for our people, our places and the planet, we continue to explore opportunities across the borough to improve our social infrastructure for the benefit of the community.  Regal London’s recent acquisition of the Head lease of Great North Leisure Park (GNLP) from LandSec Plc has created an opportunity for us to consider options of re-providing Finchley Lido Leisure Centre as part of a development agreement.   

Through the initial series of public engagement activities that took place between December 2022 through to February 2023, a high proportion of people (i.e. 53% of those responded to this question and 44% of all people participated in the engagement) were supportive of a leisure facility remaining at GNLP, many of whom are existing users of the leisure centre.  Taking findings on board and following a review of relevant strategic data, customer insight and a demand needs assessment, we have concluded that the current preference is for the leisure facility to be re-provided at GNLP and the design is to be worked up based on this.  We have also been negotiating with the developer so a brand-new leisure facility will be constructed in the first phase of their development and the existing facility will be safeguarded so it will remain open until a new facility has been constructed.

This new modern leisure facility will be at the heart of the proposed residential led mixed use development at GNLP.  In line with our climate emergency pledges, the new leisure centre building will be environmentally sustainable and achieving a high level of energy performance requirements to contribute to our borough wide Net Zero Carbon targets.  

Public consultation will help to inform a wide range of wet and dry facilities. The overall development will also provide new connections to the existing public open space to deliver a high quality and sustainable neighbourhood.

We will be considering Regal’s proposals carefully, and subject to approval from the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee in April, we look forward to working with the community to shape the new leisure facility as well as the wider development at GNLP.

We also acknowledge the engagement feedback received from those that supported a potential relocation of the leisure centre to North Finchley town centre.   Notwithstanding that the leisure will now remain at GNLP, we share many of the aspirations in revitalising the town centre and continue to be committed to working with the community and incorporating some of the engagement feedback in transforming it into a vibrant high street and an arts and cultural hub.  

A Frequently Asked Questions document and the Engagement Summary Report can be accessed by clicking on the hyperlinks.

Update: February 2023

Barnet Council undertook an initial public engagement between 13 December 2022 and 6 February 2023 to understand users’ experience and gauge the public’s views on a potential refurbishment, redevelopment, or relocation possibility of the existing Finchley Lido Leisure Centre to North Finchley Town Centre. 

We would like to thank all those who took part in the engagement for their valuable feedback  - we received over three thousand responses through the online questionnaire and community events. The findings are currently being analysed and we will  keep you updated on this web page how we are using what you have told us, and next steps which will include further engagement.

Engagement Overview

Finchley Lido Leisure Centre was built in c.1995/96 and is operated by Better on behalf of London Borough of Barnet.

The existing facility is ageing, and the condition of the building restricts its ability for the council to deliver wider aspirations to create a more active and healthy borough, whilst offering a full family friendly and inclusive experience.

We are exploring the potential of a future redevelopment of Finchley Lido Leisure Centre to create a modern and more sustainable facility. As the lease of the Great North Leisure Park (the current location of the leisure facility) is being sold as a standing asset or with redevelopment potential, we are exploring the possible refurbishment and/or redevelopment at Great North Leisure Park, along with a potential relocation to North Finchley Town Centre. The latter would bring a new leisure facility to the town centre as part of the placemaking aspirations of the town centre regeneration.

A new leisure centre could broaden the council’s leisure offer by delivering a range of new and improved facilities with better access and support the community infrastructure.

We would like to hear from you about your existing experiences, facilities that are important to you and views on a proposed relocation.

The decision on whether to proceed with redeveloping and potentially relocating the leisure centre is dependent upon a number of factors which include but are not limited to; consultation and engagement, feasibility analysis and an outline business case.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents have been prepared for Finchley Lido Leisure Centre and North Finchley Town Centre to assist in answering any questions that you may have. Information has also been uploaded within he 'Important Links' section which may further assist your response (found at the bottom right of this page).

Your views are important to us

We want to hear your views on our proposals, in particular we want to hear from residents, tenants, landlords, managing or letting agents, organisations, businesses and all other interested parties.

How to have your say:

We are keen to hear your views on our proposals and encourage you to have your say by completing our online questionnaire

If you would like to request a paper questionnaire or another format please:

• email sport@barnet.gov.uk or telephone 020 8359 7704.
• alternatively you can write to us at London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, NW9 4EW.

If you would like someone to help you complete the questionnaire or need more information, please contact us using one of the above methods.

Community pop up events will be hosted at:

• Finchley Lido Leisure Centre: Monday 9 January 2023 at 5:00pm - 8:00pm and Tuesday 10 January 2023 at 8:00am - 10:00am
• North Finchley Town Centre (outside Starbucks, 811 High Road, N12 8JR): Wednesday 11 January 2023 at 11:30am - 2:30pm
• North Finchley Town Centre (outside Sainsbury’s, 836 High Road, N12 9RE): Saturday 21 January 2023 at 12:00 - 2:00pm

Community workshop will be hosted at:

• Northside Primary School (2 Albert Street North, London, Greater London, N12 8JP): Thursday 19 January 2023 at 6:00 - 8:00pm (email Suley.Muhidin@barnet.gov.uk to register your attendance)

Please note that dates and times may be subject to change, therefore please continue to check this page for updates.