Lido offers 2p entry to celebrate lease extension

A lido is charging a 2p entrance fee, its original price, to celebrate having its lease extended for another 94 years.

After the first lease between Cheltenham Borough Council and the Cheltenham Lido Charity ran out in 2021, another was granted until 2056.

An extended lease has now been agreed, which will automatically start in 2056 and run until 2120 "to ensure future protection of this valuable community asset", the council said.

"[The lido] plays a huge role in the lives of so many in Cheltenham and the South of England and this secures the future of our amazing facility for all the communities who visit," said Julie Sargent, chief executive of the lido.

Izaac Tailford, cabinet member for economic development, culture, wellbeing and public realm, said he was really proud of the lease extension.

"The lido is a fantastic facility loved by so many residents and visitors alike, and the team there do such a wonderful job at running, maintaining and improving this Cheltenham icon."

The lido will open for its heated season on Saturday at 11:00 GMT for a 2p entry fee, which was the original entrance price on its first day in 1935.

Sargent said the news of the extended lease was "absolutely phenomenal".

"We are incredibly grateful to Rowena Hay and Simon Hodges at the council for their support and forward thinking," she said.

"We celebrated our 90th year in 2025 with developments including our car park and solar panel installations and this lease extension ensures we can protect and develop Cheltenham Lido for the next 90 years and beyond."

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