Bedford Borough Council is seeking a long-term partner to acquire and regenerate the site of the well-known Oasis Beach Pool, a distinctive leisure destination in Bedford with significant potential for redevelopment and reinvestment. Colliers’ specialist Licensed & Leisure team is acting on behalf of the Council.
The 6.29-acre site on Cardington Road is being offered on a long leasehold basis for leisure use. The Council invites proposals from ambitious leisure operators or investors with a commitment to enhancing the site’s leisure offering. This opportunity aligns with broader regeneration plans and the anticipated growth in Bedford Borough over the coming years, securing the site’s future contribution to the local leisure landscape.
Originally opened in 1991, Oasis Beach Pool was designed as a family-friendly water leisure destination, featuring a unique pyramid structure that remains part of Bedford’s iconic built environment. The site includes parking for approximately 200 vehicles and benefits from its proximity to Aspects Leisure Park, a Tesco Extra superstore, and the River Great Ouse. There is also potential to develop complementary outdoor leisure uses on adjoining riverside land.
Councillor Sarah Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Customer Experience, Leisure and Culture at Bedford Borough Council, said, “We are looking for a partner who can bring fresh vision and energy to this important site while respecting its leisure heritage. Oasis Beach Pool has been a much-loved facility and as part of our leisure strategy, we have committed to protecting the site for leisure use for future generations of residents and visitors. With the right investment and stewardship, the site’s future as a vibrant and inclusive destination can be secured to benefit the whole community.”
Bedford is well connected both regionally and nationally, situated within the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. The site is located just one mile from Bedford town centre and is accessible via nearby rail services offering connections to London St Pancras in under 40 minutes. It also benefits from direct access to the A421, connecting quickly to the M1 (J13), A1(M), Milton Keynes, and Cambridge. This transport network supports the site’s potential as a premier leisure location serving Bedford and the wider region.
The forthcoming Universal Destinations & Experiences theme park and resort south of Bedford – subject to planning approvals – will further enhance Bedford Borough’s status as a major leisure and entertainment hub. This development is expected to eventually draw up to 12 million visitors a year and create 28,000 jobs, fuelling demand for high-quality leisure facilities.
Paul Bugeja from Colliers’ Licensed & Leisure team said:
“The Oasis Beach Pool site offers a rare chance to acquire a substantial, well-located leisure site in a town undergoing significant transformation. Its scale and proximity to existing and planned leisure amenities, including the Universal Destinations & Experiences resort, make it a compelling proposition for investors and operators focused on sustainable, community-driven leisure ventures.”
Learn more about this opportunity at http://www.colliersproperty.co.uk/
