Excitement is mounting in Stroud as the Stratford Park Lido is set to re-open this Saturday.

After being unable to re-open last summer due to Coronavirus, the popular attraction is due to welcome bathers from 1pm on May 29.

Volunteer-run community group The Friends of Stratford Park Lido have been working with Stroud District Council and operator Everyone Active to ensure the outdoor pool has had a refresh and is Covid-secure before being able to open again.

"Health and wellbeing is one of our key priorities and reopening the Lido is an important step to make sure we deliver on that," said Chair of Community Services and Licensing Committee, Councillor Chris Brine. "The Lido is such a much-loved facility in the community by generations of people in the district."

The pool was built at Stratford Park in Stroud under Stroud Urban District Council engineer and surveyor FS Cutler at a cost of around £20,000 in 1937, and for generations it has been a popular spot, particularly during spells of hot weather.

The Friends, SDC and operator Everyone Active are working longer term to develop the 50 metre spring-fed pool, to restore and protect it as a high-quality community heritage asset.

"Stroud District Council and Friends of Stratford Park know how important the Lido is to people and we understand this great news will have such a positive impact on the community," said Jess McQuail of the Friends.

There are some changes due to Covid rules and regulations you need to know for visiting the Lido between May 29 to the beginning of September.

It will be open for the public to use from 1pm to 7pm daily. Social distancing will be in place and areas of the Lido will be cleaned in between sessions - it will close from 3.05pm to 4.10pm to allow this.

Sessions should be booked at www.everyoneactive.com/centre/stratford-park-leisure-centre/ . The rule of six, or two households, will still apply so bear this in mind when you're booking. Current restrictions will be regularly reviewed in line with government guidance.

Admission is £3.80 for adults and £2.25 for children - under eights must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or adult over 18, with a maximum of two children per adult.