Pledge to keep lido open for as long as possible in September
Stratford Park site to reopen after £475k safety works were undertaken
There are plans to keep a much-loved outdoor swimming pool open for as long as possible in September after it reopens this summer.
Stroud District Council chiefs agreed to spend £476,000 on essential works to make Stratford Park lido safe earlier this year.
And now they say work at the pool is on track to be completed for its reopening on August 15.
Once complete, their aim is to keep the pool open for as long as possible during September subject to the weather, customer demand and operational requirements.
This has pleased campaigners from Save Our Lido Stroud who are calling for longer opening hours and have suggested from 10am to 7pm and to trial scrapping the booking system which they claim makes access more difficult for many.
They also want to see at least the same number of early morning lane swims as last season and a swimming lane down the side the rest of the time.
The campaigners have also asked the council to consult with the public over the long-term future of the lido and work with them on planning works for works to be undertaken from this October.
“We would like to start to trial some of the things that make other lidos thrive – cafe, evening events, club and teaching booking, exercise in the surroundings, film nights, young people’s nights, dog swims, a plug in sauna, and/or a slide,” the group said in a statement
“This isn’t the moment for grand visions. There’s already a lot of those gathering dust on shelves It is a moment for engaging with the people of Stroud – those who’ve stepped forward to get the pool saved and open this year, those who simply can’t wait to come and enjoy it, and also those who used to come, and need to be won back.
“The pool being open this summer is a great focal point to launch that engagement – and to capture the amazing energy that the community has generated to get us this far.
“This energy will be essential if we are to start to restore the pool to its former glory so that it can thrive for another 90 years.”
A Stroud District Council spokesperson said they welcome positive engagement from the community including Save Our Lido Stroud whose representatives have contributed to discussions through the lido working group.
A number of the suggestions highlighted reflect areas that are already being considered as part of the reopening and future operation of the facility, they said.
“We are pleased that work remains on track for the planned reopening of Stratford Park Lido on August 15 and that good progress continues to be made against the published programme,” a council spokesperson said.
They went on to say that subject to weather conditions, operational requirements and customer demand, our intention is to keep the lido open for as long as possible during September.
“We are also planning for the children’s pool to be available this season and are keen to work with community groups on activities to help celebrate the reopening.”
The council explained that refurbishment of the 90-year-old lido has presented some technical challenges.
And further investigation found the need for more repairs to the pool floor, while testing of the filter system confirmed that a full refurbishment of the filter lining is not currently required.
“This has enabled investment to be focused on priority works while maintaining the target reopening date,” the spokesperson said.
“We will continue to consider operational arrangements for this season, including opening hours, swimming provision and customer access arrangements, as plans are finalised.
“Our immediate priority remains the safe and successful reopening of the lido on August 15, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the facility for part of the summer 2026 season.
“Looking ahead, we recognise the importance of continuing to engage with residents, users, community groups and other stakeholders about the lido’s future.
“The extraordinary community effort that has supported the lido this year demonstrates the passion people have for its future, and we want to build on that as longer-term options are explored by the lido working group.
“The level of community support shown for the lido over the past year demonstrates how important the facility is to local people, and we look forward to welcoming swimmers back to Stratford Park Lido when it reopens.”