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New! The lido will REOPEN on Saturday 15 August – join us! Find out more »

Save Stroud Lido

Save Stroud Lido

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SAVE OUR SUMMER!

SAVE STROUD LIDO

Stroud Lido is under threat. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Ask your councillor to stop the rush to close the lido.

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💙☀️We love this image—and we can’t wait to jump in 💙☀️We love this image—and we can’t wait to jump in! 🏊‍♀️💙💙

The forecast is looking fantastic for Lido opening day on Saturday 15 August, so demand is likely to be high. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment!☀️

Sessions will operate with an 80/20 split between advance bookings and walk-ins, with the possibility of additional capacity if the forecast stays favourable.💙

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back! 🎉💙🏊

Book Via 👇
myactivelifestyles.co.uk

#StratfordParkLido #LoveOurLido #Stroud #OpeningDay #Stroudlife
@theghostoftomsears
Stroud’s Lido makes the @itv evening news, ahead o Stroud’s Lido makes the @itv evening news, ahead of the re-opening on Saturday 15th August. Also featuring @droitwichspalido , lymingtonseawaterbaths - and some other Lidos that have sadly been lost). SOLS member @carolinejmolloy talks to @itvnews @benchapmanitv about how lucky we are to have our Lido in Stroud - and how we’ve had to fight to protect it. #savestroudlido
💙 BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN! 🏊‍♀️🎉 We can’t wait for 💙 BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN! 🏊‍♀️🎉

We can’t wait for opening day on 15th August!

Head to the My Active Lifestyles website, book your swim and show your love for our beautiful Lido. Let’s make opening day one to remember! 💙

Who’s joining us? 🙌

#StroudLido #LoveOurLido #OpeningDay #StratfordParkLido #Stroud
@activelifestylesstroud @lidoguide
Just been talking to @bbcradio2 @thejeremyvine abo Just been talking to @bbcradio2 @thejeremyvine about how lucky we are to have saved our beautiful 50m spring-fed lido in Stroud - re-opening 15 August - and what a godsend it is to the community #LoveOurLido (lovely to hear from @grangelido too)
Looking good! Looking good!
Brilliant article by the influential economist Mar Brilliant article by the influential economist Mariana Mazzucato @mazzucatomissioneconomy on why councils should pay for pools as a social good, and how post-COVID policies around booking sessions have made them more exclusive & harder to access. Check it out for free here https://marianamazzucato.substack.com/p/who-gets-to-swim
New artwork just dropped, from our friends at @str New artwork just dropped, from our friends at @stroudbookfestival - we love this so much! 

Cannot wait to get in the pool... #RollOnAugust
Does your Lido deserve a mural? We have been in a Does your Lido deserve a mural?

We have been in a bit of a to and fro with the District Council over the entrance to the Lido. Can you help us settle a difference of opinion.

We have created a design that we believe shows some love to our Art Deco outdoor pool, and will help us celebrate it reopening - the outlook was far more bleak back in March when it was to close indefinitely!

However, the District Council staff aren’t really feeling the love for our design, so we need to know if you love it and think the Lido deserves this mural, or if you prefer its existing look.

If we can get approval (and we are trying really, really, REALLY hard to get them to work with us) we will need to raise money to make it happen. We’re happy to try to do that, but we do need to know if there is support for our vision or not. With the planned opening on 15th August, we need to get a shift on!

Thank you for sharing your vote x
Seeing a lot of posts on here about youngsters loo Seeing a lot of posts on here about youngsters looking for work, do look into lifeguard training! You are allowed to be a lifeguard from 16. Email leisure@stroud.gov.uk and ask about their training, they were putting on free training for people willing to commit to working at the Lido this summer (you do need to be confident swimmer and happy to dive / go deep under water). I don’t know if there are still spaces left, but their latest update says that “recruitment is ongoing” so it sounds like there might be - and is enough demand maybe they can put on another training session somewhere, or at least for next year. We (SOLs) pointed out to them what a great job opportunity this is for young people, and really encouraged them because one of the reasons we’ve been told the Lido opened rather restricted hours in the recent past is because they couldn’t get lifeguards. Also do let us know what answer you get because they aren’t all that great at telling us what is going on!
🥵 Can you imagine what a summer we should have hav 🥵 Can you imagine what a summer we should have have been having, and the money the outdoor pool should have been making this year? Ah well. Roll on August, eh!
SDC has told us it is on track to complete works o SDC has told us it is on track to complete works on Stroud’s outdoor pool in time to open it on 15 August.

We are pleased SDC has now agreed with our requests that:
💦They’ll keep the pool open as long as possible in September
👶The baby pool will be open
🎉They will work with the community to plan opening day events

For this season, we’ve also asked for:
⏱️Longer, simpler hours, like 10am-7pm.
📱Trialling scrapping the booking system, which makes access more difficult for many, especially young people
🏊‍♀️Having at least the same number of early morning lane swims as last season, plus a lane down the side always
☀️Protecting sunbathing / viewing areas - we need to see the plans so we can suggest alternative ways of dealing with any concerns around walls

We’ve also asked SDC to:
🙌Consult the public (not just a few ‘stakeholders’) over the future, starting this summer
🗓️Work with us to plan works to be undertaken from this October, for example any necessary handrails
👟Plan for the Lido’s future alongside the leisure centre & park to ensure all are sustainable

We note:
💷There is still £900k capital spend  available for the Lido, as agreed 2 years ago. 

Lidos need:
1. An affordable, accessible core offering of swimming & sunbathing.
2. Thoughtful integration with surrounding facilities.
3. Additional revenue streams. 

So, we’d like to see trials of things that make lidos thrive - cafe, events, clubs/classes, exercise around the pool, film &, young people’s evenings, dog swim on the last day of the season, a plug in sauna, &/or a slide.

🤓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 & open, those who simply can’t wait to come & enjoy it, & 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 - & capture the amazing energy that the community has generated to get us this far. 
💦This energy will be essential if we are to restore the pool to its former glory so that it can thrive for another 90 yrs.
While we wait (🥵) for Stroud’s Lido / outdoor pool While we wait (🥵) for Stroud’s Lido / outdoor pool to reopen this summer, check out our History of the Lido, “When we get down to swimming, we get down to democracy”, on SOLS website. See if it matches your memories - and share them in the comments - we’ve been loving collecting your thoughts.
Stay cool, keep shaded and make sure to check on v Stay cool, keep shaded and make sure to check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives. Extreme heat can affect inland areas like Stroud more than coastal ones. 

We also need to plan for a world where these kind of weather patterns are more common. We need facilities  where people can cool off, into the evening, with shading, taking advantage of natural cool water…

We need to factor all this into future planning for Stroud’s Lido. Its a real shame that it’s not going to be open til August - let’s make sure its stays open throughout September, too, and that all its facilities (for example, including the baby pool) are fully open. To be sure of that happening, councillors still need to hear from the public, as we only got this far because of you - so don’t forget you can email them via our website.
💙💦we *love* this photo from our friends at @hather 💙💦we *love* this photo from our friends at @hathersageswimmingpool - a parish council-owned gem in the Peak District - right now, they are currently running a round the clock, 24 hour summer solstice swim. 

🌅🏊‍♀️can you imagine - how lush would that be? 

☀️🌞maybe next year?
There’s been lots going on regarding maintenance t There’s been lots going on regarding maintenance this week and it’s so good to see they’re cracking on ahead of that much awaited opening date! ☀️💦

We’ve really missed our much-loved outdoor pool. 💙

Back on 12 March 2026, Stroud District Council shocked the community by announcing plans to indefinitely close the Stroud Lido / outdoor pool.

Fast forward to now… and what a turnaround! 🥳

Councillors have now unanimously backed an extra £276k of repair works which should see Stroud’s treasured lido reopen this August and help secure its future for 2027 and beyond. 🌊🏊

Importantly, councillors listened to the strength of feeling from the community and got on board to ensure health, wellbeing and safe outdoor swimming remain a priority for local people. 💙

This only happened because the community came together:
💙 4000+ signature petition
💙Determination and team work from the SOLS campaign group
💙 Hundreds of emails to councillors
💙 Flash mobs 🦞
💙 Shop window competitions
💙 Huge social media support
💙 Local businesses rallying behind the campaign
💙 Incredible backing from local figures

🏊💙BRING ON OPENING DAY ! 💙🏊
🥳 Amazing news – Stroud Lido is set to open this s 🥳 Amazing news - Stroud Lido is set to open this summer after unanimous vote to fund outstanding repairs 

🤩 Last night, councillors voted an extra £276k of works that should see Stroud’s treasured Lido open this August.

🎉 The extra money, which comes from previous years underspend on the Lido, should also set the lido on track for opening in 2027 and beyond.

😱 At an earlier vote in March, councillors had voted to close the outdoor pool. 

💪 But thanks to a massive community outcry, a 4000 signature petition, hundred of emails to councillors, flash mobs 🦞, a shop window competition, and incredible support from local celebrities including @maryportasofficial @edibow @therealdalevince and @tweedyclown …

👷‍♂️They’ve listened - to the community, & to our engineering experts, who had set out a plan for opening for a fraction of the original proposed cost of £5 million.

💙💦 Now we just need to make sure they keep listening, they keep working with us, so we can set this on a sustainable footing. 💦So that next year, and every year, the people of Stroud District get to hang out and have fun in the pool, get to swim lanes and get to enjoy the gem that is the Stroud Lido.

💦☀️We are delighted at last night’s vote. We want to say a *massive* thank you 🙏 to everyone who has kept showing up, has spoken up, spread the word, and kept the faith. We couldn’t have done it without you - and this has been a huge team effort. From the fabulous badges done by @sheermeg and the petition by @fourteenlifestyle that started it all off, the sterling Facebook work of @marksweeting, the inspired “please refrain from divebombing our lido” artwork and videography from @adam.horovitz the amazing work of  @ndavis060 in pulling people together, the dedication and heartfelt expertise of @iankennyroberts , the extraordinary commitment of our engineer @jfiddes1, the political nous of various amazing people who I think aren’t on Instagram, and not least, the inspired lobster stylings of @naomisaid_  and all the support shown by local businesses, too many to mention, and @stroudtowncouncil … and ok yes me @carolinejmolloy  and most of all… YOU!!!
💦 BIG NEWS! (& we still need your help for one las 💦 BIG NEWS! (& we still need your help for one last push 🫧🦞🎶🎥)

💦 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 (3 June - tv cameras there 6-6.20pm, some fun will be had, then meeting 7pm). 

💦 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
💦Open it in the mornings throughout August
💦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).

💦 Let’s keep Stroud swimming and splashing, safely! 💦

#savestroudlido #lidoswim #swimsafely #saveoursummer #peoplepower
🥵 Where is a hot lobster to swim? 🦞💦⛱️☀️🏊‍♀️ 😳 St 🥵 Where is a hot lobster to swim? 🦞💦⛱️☀️🏊‍♀️

😳 Stroud District council has said it needs another meeting to talk about the Lido - on Wednesday 3rd June, 7pm at Ebley Mill. 

🦞 Lobster will be there - and would love to see you all…

👷‍♀️ But in the meantime - can the council just get on with starting the work at Stroud Lido that it’s got the money to do?

😢 Otherwise, as we warned them back in April, they won’t get the pool open in time for the summer holidays.

😒 They quietly shelved the work they could have done over winter, without telling the public that was what was going on.

⛱️ Now people in the Stroud area have nowhere safe to swim outdoors, during this half term heatwave, when Stroud’s Lido would normally be open.

💦Even if you could get to Cheltenham, Wootton or Ciren, their pools are booked solid. 

💰If Stroud’s outdoor pool were open this week, it could be making many thousands of pounds. 

🗣️ Whilst the politicians keep talking… 

✊We need action!

#savestroudlido #saveoursummer
So where are we? 💦The outdoor pool normally opens So where are we?

💦The outdoor pool normally opens this week

💦last year the council decided not to do the usual winter maintenance to get it open this year - despite hvaing plenty of money set aside for the lido

💦it didn’t discuss these decisions with the public or even with most of its own councillors 

💦when we found out, we formed SOLS, and within weeks we’d arranged site visits and had given the council an expert, affordable, engineer-led plan for summer opening…which they said they were very impressed by… 

💦since the bombshell news of planned closure in March, there have been LOTS of meetings - and lots of nodding - but but not enough information has been shared in those meetings about what is actually underway 

💦now there’s another meeting on 3rd June which they’re saying is crunch

All we want to know is:

💦will they get on with the work they’ve *got the money for* in the meantime, to be able to get the pool for the summer holidays?

💦the works needed are quite simple - is there the political will to get them done?
Not much essential maintenance happening seems to Not much essential maintenance happening seems to be happening today…
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What’s going on

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Little girl in the lido, in a pink doughnut inflatable. Photo by Simon Pizzey, Stroud News and Journal.

And there’s more…

Come to an event

Join us leafleting, or come to the next Stroud District Council meetings

Get resources

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Read the mythbuster

New! Our mythbuster helps you tell fact from myth about the lido

ASK STROUD DISTRICT COUNCIl TO THINK AGAIN

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2026 Save Our Lido