Jubilee Pool will not now reopen for the start of the season as expected on the Saturday 27th May, over the bank holiday weekend.

Martin Nixon, chair of the Friends of Jubilee Pool and a director of the Jubilee Pool Community Benefit Society, said: "We know this will be very disappointing news for everyone who had hoped to use the pool from this weekend, but the contractual negotiations with the selected operators have taken much longer than expected to complete; despite the very best efforts of all concerned."

David Hoyes, fellow director, added: "At the latter stages of the process the potential operator’s cost profile increased significantly to the extent that it would put the sustainability of the pool at risk. The traditional opening day of the pool is valued by us more than anybody, but not at any cost; and we have to protect the long term sustainability of the pool.

"The group will make another announcement in the next few days with a revised opening date; which is hoped to be very soon and will keep everyone informed via the Friends of Jubilee Pool Facebook page, and their website."

The management of the Grade II listed lido was recently transferred to the Jubilee Pool Community Benefit Society, established by Friends of Jubilee Pool with financial support from Cornwall Council and Penzance Town Council. The new organisation intends to operate the pool and café on the community’s behalf as a social enterprise, with all profits being ploughed back into the pool.

Penzance Mayor Dick Cliffe said: "Penzance Town Council is disappointed that Jubilee Pool will not be opening on May 27 as planned yet understands the difficulty Cornwall Council and the Jubilee Pool Community Benefit Society have had in procuring a commercial pool operator. The town council provides financial support for the pool, and is confident that the Jubilee Pool Community Benefit Society, with support from Cornwall Council, will resolve the matter. We are all looking forward to another highly successful Jubilee Pool season."

During the winter, works to improve access to Jubilee Pool were completed. These included providing a series of ramps between the various tiers and the installation of an easy access shower, toilet and changing facility. A Room Mate, a device which provides verbal instructions to help people with visual impairment to use changing spaces more independently, has also been installed in the easy access shower and toilet. In addition a new pool hoist has been provided to improve accessibility into the water.

Mr Nixon added: "The accessibility works over the winter have all been completed on time and to an excellent standard. We wish to thank Cormac for all their efforts in achieving this in time for opening, the pool really does look magnificent."

The recent works at Jubilee Pool received investment from the Coastal Communities Fund, Cornwall Council, Penzance Town Council, the Friends of Jubilee Pool, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnerships Regional Growth Fund (RGF) following the winter storms of 2014 which caused significant damage to the pool. Following the damage the pool closed for two summer seasons, however, after the extensive repair project, which included rock anchoring of the pool base, sea wall repairs, extensive grouting, mechanical and electrical works, as well as general repair works, the pool was opened to the public once again in May 2016.