Rochdale's lost Riviera

Lee Grimsditch looks back at town's open-air pool

- Lee Grimsditch

A NOW lost lido offered Mancunians a chance to enjoy a seaside experience with out having to travel to the coast or abroad.

Norden Riviera opened in 1935 during the golden age for open-air swimming in Britain. Located just off Edenfield Road in Norden, Rochdale, the Riviera was ‘Rochdale by the sea’ for many who could not afford a longer journey or who preferred something nearer to home.

The open-air pool itself was heated and came equipped with diving boards, slides and spectator stands. But it was more than just a swimming pool, surrounded by attractive gardens, a cafe, a sports field with horse riding facilities, fences for show jumping, cricket pitches and areas for ball games.

In the evening you could go dancing to an orchestra and be waited on by page boys wearing white uniforms with gilt buttons. Coloured lights were strung around the surrounding trees while the pool was spot-lit.