Teignmouth Lido is being put on the market - and the town’s Save the Lido group is among those who will be bidding to buy it.

Teignbridge Council has appointed property agents Bettesworths to advertise the pool for sale, opening the door to offers from commercial buyers as well as community organisations.

But it won’t simply be sold off quickly to the highest bidder. Because the Lido is officially recognised as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), the council must allow six months for the Save Teignmouth Lido group to put forward its proposal, along with any other offers. The council will meet in October to consider all the expressions of interest.

Teignbridge District Council Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Estates and Major Projects, Councillor David Palethorpe, said: “We have a responsibility to ensure we are considering all available options for the Lido site. Appointing a commercial agent is part of that due diligence process.

“We hope that this marketing campaign generates significant interest and results in a wide range of proposals in addition to those we might receive from community groups.

“This would enable us to decide which option presents the best outcome for the council as well as the town, its residents, visitors and businesses.”

Under this system the council has no obligation to accept a community bid, and is free to choose a commercial operator.

But Paul Burgess, joint founder of Save the Lido Community Trust charity, said: “In the case of the Lido, this would be very contentious indeed and totally against what residents want. I think the public would be outraged if the Lido was closed and sold off to a private developer.

“Without any doubt, residents of Teignmouth and the surrounding areas want the Lido to remain open and run as a community Lido for future generations. This is an once in a lifetime opportunity for everyone to work together to create a lasting legacy for our community."

Save the Lido is launching a donate-by-text fundraising campaign to support its bid to buy the pool, enabling people to instantly send £5, £10, £15 or £20 with their mobile phones.

Visitors to pubs in and around Teignmouth will soon see beermats promoting the campaign and giving the number for texting a donation - along with a QR code for a link to all the terms and conditions. Save the Lido has promised if its bid to buy the lido is not successful, the money raised will go to the RNLI.

Mr Burgess said: “We look forward to working with Teignbridge District Council to secure the future of Teignmouth Lido and would like to thank councillors and officers, especially Cllr Palethorpe, for their help and support with the ACV six-month moratorium process.”

Teignbridge District Council agreed to declare Teignmouth Lido as surplus to requirements and dispose of it on the open market in February. The decision was made following a detailed review of the Lido’s financial and operational challenges as part of the council’s programme to address major budget gaps.

A proposal to keep the Lido closed this summer, as a money saving measure, was reversed in March after a public campaign. Recognising the level of local support, the council made the necessary preparations to open the Lido on Saturday, May 23, in time for the half-term holiday.