Town council aims to reopen paddling pool in 2026

A much-loved paddling pool in Kidderminster could reopen next year, the town's council has said.

The pool in St George's Park was last open to users in 2022, but following a £104,000 repair bill it was shut off by the local authority.

A campaign to save the pool has since gathered more than 2,000 signatures, with local parents arguing it is an important community facility.

Kidderminster Town Council, which owns the park, said it aimed to reopen the pool by summer 2026, and it would explore funding options before making a final decision.

"It would be a thumbs up for the council. Completely brilliant," said resident Syed Miah.

A father of four, he said his elder children had used the pool before it was shut off.

"It'd be nice for the community. The kids are really missing those opportunities here," he said.

Father-of-four Syed Miah said the paddling pool was missed by the local community

"For some families it's the only way they get to take their children into water," said Janet Hemming, 80, whose house overlooks the park.

"Some days when I'm sat here... it reminds me of Blackpool with all the people with all their picnics."

"We just hope we can get it reopened again," she said.

St George's Park was handed over the Kidderminster Town Council to run in 2017.

After significant repairs were identified following the pool's summer season in 2022, the council agreed to mothball the water feature, to give the community time to find external funding to support work to bring it back into use.

As well as repairs, this included the introduction of new equipment to monitor chlorine levels.

The pool in St George's Park was shut off to users after a £104,000 bill to replace a pump

In 2023, the then Conservative leader of the council, David Ross, said the "renewal" of the pool was not possible in the financial climate of the time.

Since then, an initial estimate of £104,000 has now risen to close to £130,000, the council's public realm manager Adam Stockhall said.

At a full council meeting last week, town councillors agreed a motion to "aim to re-open the paddling pool for summer 2026".

But in a statement the local authority stressed no final decision had been made. It said further work, including full financial costings, would be commissioned at a meeting in April.

That caveat has dampened some residents' spirits.

Resident Janet Hemming said the pool was sorely missed

"It is welcome news," Janet Hemming said, "but come next year they won't be able to find the money won't they?

"I can't see it happening."

"It's just sad to know that they're going to leave the paddling pool another year empty," said Moshahid Hussain, another father who also lives opposite the park.