I am responding to your article about the open air pool. I would like to say what a fabulous asset to the town it is and how very special and distinct it is, both in its location and yes, in its design. Most press articles about the pool are negative, me

I am responding to your article about the open air pool. I would like to say what a fabulous asset to the town it is and how very special and distinct it is, both in its location and yes, in its design. Most press articles about the pool are negative, merely about its high running costs and it losing money, when there is much to be done towards preventing this.I have been using the pool for eight years now and North Somerset Council has plainly been allowing it to fall into disrepair and their policies for its use actively seek to run it down further, such as closing the children's paddling pool area and decking it over. What a wicked loss this is when it would be so simple to upgrade it and use warm water from the main pool.Right now outdoor swimming is becoming more and more popular with new facilities being built in London and older pools and lidos being preserved. How short sighted it would be for Portishead to allow anything to happen to their wonderful pool.It is so special, compared to the indoor pool, the likes of which you can find almost anywhere. Having been to Greenbank open air pool in Street, Somerset, I was wondering why Portishead cannot run as this does to break even and even to make a small profit. It was a joy in every sense. The staff were friendly and welcoming and they greeted us with information about opening hours and the cafe, whereas entering Portishead Pool you have to negotiate the massive prohibition signage about food, drink, clothing, etc., and it really does look closed in when it is not. The wall at the front of the pool could be replaced with something more transparent so that walkers to the lighthouse could see into the poolside, like Greenbank pool, where the poolside is visible from the road and high street of the town. Flags could be hoisted when it opens and much more could be done to promote the facility both in the town and beyond. Many people in the town do not even know it exists. Greenbank is heavily over subscribed for miles around.The cafe is such a wasted opportunity. It could be the best cafe in the region with such a fantastic location and with tables right outside beside the seafront. Greenbank open air pool has a very friendly cafe selling sandwiches and teas and things for children, making for a lovely picnic atmosphere. The closure of Portishead pool at lunchtime is completely crazy and not family friendly. If it is about clearing the water then a new filtration system must be fitted.The Street pool has a roll across surface cover to put in place at night when the pool is closed. The cover cost between £7,000-£10,000 but it saves thousands of pounds in heating bills every year and maintains a warmer water temperature to attract more families with young children and more people generally. I have just started a Friends of the Portishead Open Air Pool group with the hope of helping to keep the pool open to the public and prevent it becoming yet another site sold off to developers and this wonderful pool being lost forever. Come on, let's keep swimming in the fresh air of Portisheadportishead.openairpool@googlemail.com