Stroud's beloved outdoor swimming pool is set to open this summer 2026, with councillors voting unanimously to fund urgent repairs.
To the delight of supporters of the community-led Save Stroud Lido campaign, newly approved funding should see the historic Stratford Park Lido reopen to swimmers on Friday 14 August 2026, or earlier on Wednesday 29 July 2026, 'if works progress smoothly'.
Stroud District Council had announced in March 2026 that the pool would not be opening this year, after 'essential' structural and mechanical repairs to the 90-year-old facility were identified in condition surveys.
Estimating that those repairs would cost 拢5.1 million, which it could not afford to cover in its entirety, the council appealed to the public for help fundraising to secure the lido's long-term future.
But following a strong response from the local community which saw more than 4,000 people sign a petition, and celebrities including Mary Portas, Edith Bowman, Dale Vince and Tweedy pledge their support for Save Stroud Lido, the council explored options to downgrade its initial repair plan.
Plans to complete works that will enable the lido to open for swimmers this summer have progressed in recent weeks, with an estimated cost of 拢476,000.
The council's Strategy and Resources Committee had already agreed to allocate 拢200,000 of its budget to the repairs, and at a meeting on Wednesday 3 June 2026, councillors approved an extra allocation of 拢276,000 for works expected to support the lido's operation during the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
'Major improvements' to the lido are still being considered for the long term, the council says, with a separate plan to borrow 拢900,000 for capital works still to be agreed.
Council leader Chloe Turner said ahead of this week's meeting: 'We know how important the Lido is to our residents and how much people want to see it open again.
'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.'
She added that the approved repair plan and funding allocation 'will put us and the community in a good place to explore the future ownership and operation of the pool.'
A statement from the Save Stroud Lido campaign on its Facebook page said: 'We are absolutely delighted by last night鈥檚 decision and can鈥檛 wait to see families, swimmers and young people enjoying the Lido again this summer.
'And now the focus turns to getting the works completed and the gates reopened as quickly as possible. Because this is more than a pool. It鈥檚 part of Stroud鈥檚 identity. A place for fun, friendships, exercise, memories and safe outdoor swimming for generations to come.'
