Campaign launched to protect Bristol South Swimming Pool

A campaign has been launched to protect the outside walls of the beautiful c1931 Grade 2 listed Bristol South swimming pool from graffiti which is damaging its surface.

The pool is in Dame Emily Park, in Bedminster. The Park, for many years has been celebrated for its popular street art.  This is regularly updated, by a variety of artists, who use the area to hone their skills.

Posters are going up welcoming street artists to use the permissable walls and ramps for graffiti art but warning that people who spray on the grade 2 listed pool building will be prosecuted.

 “Many people who use the park love the graffiti art but it is important that people only use the areas which are designated,” said Emily Smith, Community Safety Officer for South Bristol. “The paint can damage the brickwork and to have it removed will costs thousands of pounds as it has to be done by a specialist."

“This park has areas for different people, a lovely garden, a skate board park , a children’s playground and the art area.  We want everyone to be able to enjoy the park and are just asking people to respect the rest of the park,” said Ben Barker, local resident and chair of the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership.

“The art in the park is amazing,” says Frances Gard, chairman of the the Friends of the Pool. “But not on the building! Paint removal costs like this are bad news, because this is money that could be spent inside the pool in order to keep it running and secure it’s future.”

“Consultation in the local community has also revealed that a substantial number of people who pass through the park believe that the pool is shut because of the tagging on the outside. These same people consulted were then really pleased to discover that actually they have an open pool right in their neighbourhood!” Frances Gard said.

Dame Emily Park is on the old Dean Lane Pit head which was closed in 1906 and has been a very popular park in the area.