Save Stroud Lido - Outdoor Pool

29/05/2026

Positive progress and a huge amount of hard work from the campaign team , community, councillors, officers and volunteers to get to this stage. 🌊

Now let’s hope the funding is approved on June 3rd so Stroud can once again have a safe, affordable place for outdoor swimming this summer. 💙🏊💙

▶NEWS: Latest Lido update published ahead of key decision meeting on reopening plan

Stroud District Council has published a third detailed update on progress to reopen Stratford Park Lido, ahead of an extraordinary meeting of its Strategy and Resources Committee next week.

The update, which is now available to view on the Council’s dedicated Lido webpages, sets out the latest position on repair works and the proposed timeline for reopening the 90-year-old facility.

Councillors will meet on Wednesday 3 June to consider the next steps for the project, including whether to approve additional funding to complete essential works.

Based on the latest contractor programme, all works are currently scheduled to be completed with the Lido reopening on 14 August 2026, with the potential for an earlier opening date of 29 July if works progress smoothly.

These dates are not guaranteed and remain subject to:

No additional works being identified beyond those already known.
Approval of additional funding by the Strategy and Resources Committee.
Preliminary works are already underway on site at risk, ahead of the committee decision, to minimise delays.

Council Leader, Cllr Chloe Turner, said: “We know how important the Lido is to our residents and how much people want to see it open again.

“This latest update provides a clear picture of the work required and the timeline we are working to. The extraordinary meeting gives councillors the opportunity to carefully consider the options and make a decision as quickly as possible.

“This approach ensures proper democratic oversight while giving the project the best possible chance of success.

“I am grateful to council officers, local councillors and volunteers from the community for doing everything they can to help achieve an opening for this summer.”

So far the committee has set aside £200,000 of revenue budget for repair and maintenance works. However further detailed work has enabled the development of a comprehensive and robust cost plan, which identifies that the total estimated cost of the works needed to enable the reopening of Stratford Park Lido is £476,000.

Next Wednesday (June 3) the committee will be asked to resolve to approve an extra allocation of £276,000 for works expected to support operation during the summer of 2026 and the 2027 season.

“This will put us and the community in a good place to explore the future ownership and operation of the pool,” added Cllr Turner.

The £476,000 of revenue budget is separate to a budget to borrow £900,000 for capital works – if agreed, these funds would be used for major improvements at the Lido.

Alongside the construction preparation, work is already underway to ensure the Lido can operate safely once open. A free National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course has been organised at Active Lifestyles Dursley from 13 to 18 July.

The course is designed to:

Support the recruitment of lifeguards for the Lido reopening.
Provide additional casual cover across all three council pools.
This forms part of the Council’s broader efforts to ensure staffing is in place for opening and and ongoing operations.

The Council’s constitution does not allow for motions, public or councillor questions, but focuses on the reason for calling the extraordinary meeting. Members of the public will be welcome as usual to observe elected councillors discuss the agenda item, either in-person at the council’s Ebley Mill headquarters, or via an online video link.

The latest fortnightly update and meeting papers can be read in the comments below

28/05/2026

Stroud District Council has put forward its own plan to open Stroud's Lido / outdoor pool this year 💙🏊💙

The council's own report (published this week) recognises the health, wellbeing and social value of Stratford Park Lido and says everything campaigners have been saying for months. It says getting the pool open this year can be done, without spending unaffordable sums like £5m and that it's worth it for this year and next, and going forwards too.💙

The construction team is primed and ready to go. The council has already got the money it needs (from previous underspends).
All that's needed now, is for the councillors to vote for this proposal 3rd June - tv cameras there 6-6.20pm, some fun will be had, then meeting /pm).

To say that yes, the people of Stroud District are worth an additional £276,000 required to enable works to reopen the lido this summer and next and to help it stay open in the future.

The community has fought incredibly hard to get this far, and we are now *so close*.

The ITV cameras will be there (at Ebley Mill) on 3rd June and we're asking all our supporters to turn up - one last time - to show how much we cherish our precious outdoor pool and our access to safe, affordable outdoor swimming and relaxation this summer.💙

We want the council to vote for this plan. The extra budget requested - which they already have - is the equivalent of just a couple of quid from everyone in the district, for a treasured resource that's been neglected for years despite being is so precious and valuable to so many people's health and wellbeing.🏊💙🏊

We also see that the council's proposed works mean a reopening date for the Lido of mid-August, so we're also urging them to commit to
keep it open throughout September and open it in the mornings throughout August

Do Look at our expert proposal that could bring the opening forward three weeks, to July (simply by holding off non-essential fibre-glass coating work til after the season).

Do Let's keep Stroud swimming and splashing, safely! 💙

28/05/2026

We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of seven children and two adults in inland and coastal waters over the Bank Holiday weekend. 💔

At Save Our Lido Stroud, this is a heartbreaking reminder of why safe, supervised and affordable outdoor swimming facilities matter so much to communities.

With temperatures rising, more people will naturally seek places to cool off, exercise and spend time with friends and family. Everyone deserves access to safe, lifeguarded outdoor swimming spaces.

Our thoughts are with all the families, friends and communities affected by these devastating losses.

Please stay safe around water this summer and remember:
💧 Float if you fall in
💧 Never underestimate cold water shock
💧Swim where there’s a lifeguard
💧 Avoid unsafe inland waterways
💧 Look out for one another

We’re deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of seven children and two adults, in both inland and coastal waters, over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Our Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Ellis, spoke on BBC 5 Live this morning about the dangers of inland water, where accidental drowning deaths have now been higher than coastal incidents for the seventh year in a row.

Although rivers, lakes and reservoirs may look calm and inviting in the hot weather, hidden currents and cold water shock can quickly become life-threatening. Water temperatures are currently only around 14–16°C, which can cause an involuntary gasp response and lead to drowning.

Please avoid swimming in inland waterways and encourage others to do the same.

If you unexpectedly enter the water, remember to float:

• Tilt your head back with ears submerged
• Breathe normally
• Move your hands to stay afloat
• Spread your arms and legs for stability

Floating can save your life.

If you missed the interview, you can listen via the link in the comments below (scroll to 20mins 30secs) 💧 👇🏻

27/05/2026

This is hugely positive news and a massive step forward for the community. 💙🌊

The fact the report recognises the health, wellbeing and social value of the Lido says everything we’ve been saying all along.

Now we need councillors to back this and get it over the line next week. The community has fought incredibly hard for this moment.

Let’s get Stratford Park Lido reopened this summer — and keep pushing for the earliest possible opening date so families, young people and residents have access to safe, affordable outdoor swimming again. 💙☀️🏊‍♂️

Save Our Lido Stroud has welcomed plans put forward by Stroud District Council to reopen the Lido this summer, pending a critical final vote by councillors next week.

27/05/2026

Today’s another absolute stunner ☀️🌿💦

Perfect weather for getting outdoors, staying active and enjoying time with family and friends — but please stay safe around open water and take care in the heat 🙏

Days like this really remind us how important safe, affordable outdoor swimming and wellbeing spaces are for our community 💙🌊

26/05/2026

This really highlights why safe, supervised and affordable outdoor swimming spaces are so important for our communities — especially during heatwaves. Huge credit to the neighbour, keyholder and emergency services for acting so quickly. Thankfully this had a positive outcome, but sadly it could have been very different.
Save Stroud Lido - Outdoor Pool 🏊💙🏊

A dramatic rescue operation took place Monday night after two people entered the lake at Frampton Sailing Club and got into serious difficulty in the water.

25/05/2026

This really highlights why safe, affordable outdoor swimming facilities are so important for communities like ours. 💙

If the Lido remains closed during heatwaves and school holidays, more people — especially young people — will inevitably look for alternative places to cool off and swim, often in far riskier environments.

The community isn’t asking for anything extravagant — just for essential maintenance works to be approved so people have a safe, supervised place to swim outdoors this summer. 🌊☀️💙

Police patrols have been stepped up after large swathes of wild swimmers converged on Woodchester Park Lakes.

25/05/2026

POV: It’s a heatwave… and Stroud’s outdoor pool is CLOSED ! 💔☀️🌊

The community deserves this to reopen ASAP to support health, wellbeing, safe outdoor swimming and opportunities for families and young people to stay active locally 💙


Sport England
Mental Health Foundation

24/05/2026

A really interesting piece from The Independent highlighting the uncertain future many UK lidos are facing — at a time when outdoor swimming, wellbeing and affordable community spaces have never felt more important. 🌊☀️

Wouldn’t it be lovely to be enjoying our own beautiful spring-fed Lido right here in Stroud today ! 💙

Families swimming, children laughing, friends meeting and people enjoying everything that makes community outdoor spaces so special.💙🏊💙

Hopefully we’ll see it back open where it belongs very soon. 🙏

As temperatures soar, millions of us will flock to our local lido this weekend, but it’s not all sunshine and soft breezes. After a chequered past, a dark cloud hangs over their future, too, writes Tom Fort

24/05/2026

LATEST STATEMENT FROM SAVE OUR LIDO STROUD (SOLS) 💙🏊‍♂️💙

Community Calls for Transparency and Leadership Ahead of Critical Stratford Park Lido Funding Vote.

“We recognise and appreciate the efforts of council officers, members of the Lido Working Group, town councillors, and community representatives who have continued working towards a practical reopening plan,” a spokesperson said.
“However, councillors must now show leadership and recognise that continued delay carries its own costs — financially, structurally, and in terms of public trust.”

The group says residents are entitled to ask difficult but reasonable questions about how the situation was allowed to deteriorate despite previous expenditure, repeated public concern, and longstanding awareness of maintenance issues.

The campaign also points to wider concerns around governance and financial oversight within the authority. Recent criticism surrounding disruption to Stroud’s Local Plan process reportedly highlighted what local representatives described as a waste of more than £1.4 million of taxpayer money, alongside ongoing budget pressures including staffing overspends, agency costs, and losses linked to empty office space at Ebley Mill.

Campaigners say this context makes transparency and accountability around the Lido even more important.
“Residents are understandably frustrated when essential community assets are left to deteriorate while questions continue over spending priorities and decision-making. The public deserves openness about what work is required, why earlier intervention did not happen, and what the long-term plan is for the Lido’s future.”

Supporters also note that experienced pool operators have repeatedly warned that leaving an outdoor pool empty for prolonged periods can increase the risk of structural damage due to frost, movement, and the loss of water pressure support.
The group expressed concern that the extraordinary meeting format will not permit public or councillor questions under the Council’s constitution.

“At a time when confidence in local governance needs rebuilding, scrutiny and public engagement should be encouraged rather than limited. People care deeply about this facility and want to see decisions made transparently and in the public interest.”

Campaigners stressed that the movement to save the Lido is not party political and includes residents from across the community united by concern for the future of the pool and the standards of governance surrounding it.

The detailed repair and maintenance plan is expected to be published on 26 May ahead of the committee meeting on 3 June.

* Huge thanks to fellow member of SOLS Denise Denz Sparrow for you continued support with the petition and latest update. 💙🏊💙

We welcome your comments in this post, and thankyou for your continued support.

👉https://savestroudlido.org/