Social Enterprise Feature #3 // Jubilee Pool

This is the third feature of a series where we share interesting social enterprises that inspire us. We hope by sharing these stories, the people and reasons behind them we can inspire doing good.

Resting at the Battery Rocks near Penzance harbour is Jubilee Pool - an epic seawater lido and central feature of the Penzance community for over 50 years. During its lifetime, the Pool has weathered numerous storms, and due to lack of Council funding became run down and neglected - it’s future in question.

Friends of the Pool campaigned endlessly to ensure it received the funding it needed to stay open, and repairs could be made when needed. With overwhelming support from the local community, Cornwall Council were granted government funding via the Coastal Communities programme, seeing the Pool refurbished and reopened in 2017. Management was transferred to the community group ‘Friends of Jubilee Pool’. This granted them a 99 year lease and established a Community Benefit Society to operate the pool. A huge milestone for the community and the lido’s history.

Our friend Flo Gibson, took over Jubilee Pool Cafe, which runs as a social enterprise. All profits are used to offset the pool’s future operation for the communities benefit. It’s an incredible example of how people with a common passion can collectively save, and cherish amazing features in local communities.

We are stoked to be supplying Jubilee cafe with our coffee. Amongst a host of other local producers and suppliers, it’s a beautiful spot to enjoy delicious food and drinks for pool users and visitors throughout the seasons. Get down there on a stormy day and watch the sea roll in across Mount’s Bay, or watch boats and swimmers float along the horizon in the sun. There’s truly nothing else like it in Cornwall.

Thanks to an amazing bunch of people, working hard to secure and improve this communities future.