Stratford Park Lido's Fight for Survival

Stratford Park Lido in Stroud faces closure unless it can raise five million dollars for repairs—just one of hundreds of outdoor pools shuttered across England since 2010. After initially closing for the summer, the council now plans a six-week season starting late July, pending safety work. With its district council set to dissolve in 2028, funding is nearly nonexistent. Crowdfunding or big donations are being eyed, including possible help from Ecotricity’s Dale Vince, though he’s not yet officially approached—and he’s critical of relying on the wealthy to fund public spaces. The council won’t accept direct donations, requiring charity intermediaries, which remain unsecured. Meanwhile, other lidos like Cheltenham and Portishead survive through revenue from cafés, spas, parking, events, and volunteer labor—offering a blueprint for resilience. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/46e8bbf654432f16