More than 50 passionate residents gathered outside Ebley Mill, urging Stroud District Council to reconsider its recommendation to keep Stratford Park lido closed this summer due to significant health and safety concerns.
The beloved outdoor swimming pool, serving 30,000 visitors annually until 2025, requires an estimated £5 million in urgent repairs and upgrades. Independent inspections reveal that the 89-year-old facility has deteriorated considerably over winter, making partial fixes insufficient.
Council officers emphasized that the scale and interrelated nature of the necessary work means the entire site must be renovated collectively. Consequently, the community services and licensing committee advised keeping the lido closed for the 2026 season.
READ MORE: Masked Raiders Smash Their Way Into Pokémon Card Shop, Stealing Up to £25,000 in Collectibles
READ MORE: Dom Joly Captures Tent Arson Fire During Turbulent Night in Cheltenham
Plans include maintaining the site within current budgets while launching a four-year development strategy. During closure, the council aims to collaborate with local communities and voluntary groups to spearhead fundraising campaigns to attract external investment. The committee proposed allocating £900,000 from the lido’s capital funds for maintenance, contingent on securing matching external funds by January 2028.
Additionally, £650,000 was earmarked for refurbishing gym equipment at Active Lifestyles Stroud, with further refurbishment options to be explored within budget.
Strategic Director for Communities Keith Gerrard detailed troubling safety issues: cracks beneath the diving board, a decaying pool surface causing water cloudiness, numerous trip hazards, and aging mechanical components—all dating back 89 years. Given the complexity and timescale, reopening for the coming summer is deemed unsafe.
Leisure Services Manager Darren Young stressed the importance of community support to secure necessary capital investments, acknowledging widespread backing but recognizing no low-cost solution exists to ensure safety.
Public reactions were vocal, with cries of “shame” from a packed gallery. Councillor Shyama Ananthan questioned the dramatic cost escalation from earlier estimates of £370,000 to over £5 million, citing prior “light-touch” inspections as underestimations.
Angela Gillingham, Head of Community Services, confirmed external specialist assessments revealed significantly higher costs, including a 20% contingency, which surprised council members.
While some councillors and public attendees doubted the closure, citing concerns over transparency and delayed condition surveys, the majority supported the temporary shutdown as a necessary step to secure the lido’s long-term future. Councillor Gill Thomas advocated cross-party cooperation and community ownership as potential solutions to safeguard the historic amenity for generations.
The committee agreed to commission a detailed condition survey and develop a funding strategy to guide future restoration efforts. Meanwhile, local resident Caroline Molloy expressed frustration over the council’s delayed action and lack of up-to-date assessments, highlighting community dissatisfaction.
The council’s final decision will be made by the full council in the upcoming Strategy and Resources Committee meeting.