Saltdean Lido was briefly considered as a candidate for this year’s set of British seaside stamps – but the Royal Mail eventually decided the art deco swimming pool was a bit too run down.
The Palace Pier in Brighton’s helter skelter has a starring role on one of the set of ten stamps, issued on Thursday this week, which feature seaside architecture from around the UK.
The set also features Plymouth’s Tinside Lido – but the Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company which now manages the site, said it had originally been approached too.
Director Rebecca Crook said: “We were very excited to get approached on behalf of Saltdean Lido but sadly the current condition of the site would not have made for a pretty stamp so we were ruled out.
“It is however wonderful to see so many great buildings featured celebrating our heritage. We very much hope once we have restored the lido back to its former glory as arguably the best example of a modernist lido in the UK we get our own full range of stamps.
“We are working extremely hard behind the scenes with final bid submissions underway and are optimistic that we can start the refurbishment programme next year. ”
The Royal Mail said: “This ten stamp issue captures the spirit of the seaside experience through the buildings and structures that are exclusive to, or very distinctive of, the UK’s resorts, which were designed for the pleasure of the visitor.”
The campaign to restore the lido continues with a fundraising gala on Saturday, October 4