Concerns are growing that Stroud’s outdoor lido may face closure by a future unitary council unless a comprehensive upgrade is agreed upon prior to the upcoming local government reorganisation.
Stroud District Council officials have reversed their initial decision not to open Stratford Park Lido this summer. Instead, they have committed to urgent repairs to ensure the pool is safe and accessible to the public this season.
The council had earlier shelved plans to open the lido while developing a long-term upgrade strategy. Modernisation costs currently under consideration range between £5 million and £10 million.
While basic safety repairs are underway, local authority leaders acknowledge that a substantial investment will still be essential to secure the lido’s sustainability beyond the immediate future, particularly in light of the impending structural changes in Gloucestershire’s local governance.
Gloucestershire is set to transition to a new unitary authority, merging the district councils with the County Council. Kathy O’Leary, Chief Executive of Stroud District Council, highlighted at the Strategy and Resources Committee on April 16 that this creates a real risk for the lido’s future.
“Stroud District Council likely won’t exist beyond the next two years,” O’Leary explained. “If we only continue with basic repairs and don’t address the full scope of work that the lido requires, when responsibilities transfer to the new unitary council, they would probably choose to close it as a cost-saving measure, since they will also face financial pressures.”
O’Leary emphasized the rapid nature of the local government changes, only clarified in December 2024, which forces the council to act quickly on maintenance plans.
The council’s financial challenges compound the issue. O’Leary said the three-year funding settlement from the government has been tougher than expected, partly due to Stroud’s status as a relatively affluent rural area.
“Our budget outlook is challenging,” she stated. “If we continue beyond the current three-year funding period without significant changes, we would need to make annual savings of £5.1 million. That’s around 25% of our total net budget, which is between £21 million and £22 million.”
While a smoothing settlement eases cuts in the first year and limits reductions to 95% of what would otherwise apply, the council remains financially disadvantaged.
Despite these challenges, O’Leary thanked meeting attendees for their support and reiterated the collective goal: “We all agree that we want to achieve a sustainable future for the lido.”
At a recent town meeting, various future management options for the lido were discussed, including continued council management, leasing to a private operator, community ownership, or establishing a hybrid partnership model.