Swimmers’ joy Lido future looks safe as council agrees new lease
BOSSES at Cheltenham’s Sandford Parks Lido say its future has been secured after it signed a new 35-year lease with the borough council.
The much-loved open air swimming pools site in Keynsham Road, which opened in 1935, is owned by the council but run by a charitable trust.
Some of its supporters had feared the lido might close if a new deal with the council could not be reached.
But after a previous row about how much the trust could keep from its car park money, the two sides seem to have settled the matter.
Just two days before the lido’s 25-year lease was due to end, it announced on Monday that it had signed a new 35-year one with the local authority.
In a statement on its website and on social media, it said: “Following several years of uncertainty we can now continue with our long-term plans for our treasured lido.
“Our first 25-year lease was due to expire on the March 31, 2021, which has made it difficult for our charity to attract funding over the last few years.”
Julie Sargent, the lido’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted that Cheltenham Borough Council have provided us with a lease agreement which will help protect the lido and most importantly allow us to attract some much-needed funding so we can continue to improve the lido for our community and visitors to Gloucestershire.
“Whilst we can’t fully celebrate at the moment, it’s important that we share this amazing news with our community and thank everyone for their continued support as we know many of our customers have been extremely worried that their lido could be lost.
“I’d also like to thank Cheltenham Borough Council for providing a lease which will enable the lido to continue to thrive once we’re all through the current pandemic.
“The Lido will open for its first season under the new lease on May 1. Season tickets are selling fast as people start to plan their staycation and look forward to enjoying the pleasure and healthy pursuit of outdoor swimming.”