Lido reopens for summer season after refurbishment

Guildford Lido reopened for its summer season on Saturday

A lido which closed for refurbishment during the winter re-opened for its summer season on Saturday.

Guildford Lido reopened at 08:00 BST with a heated swimming pool and landscaped gardens.

The pool was forced to close for refurbishments in November including installing new energy efficient boilers.

Guildford Mayor Sallie Barker MBE jumped into the water after declaring the lido open and cutting a ribbon on Saturday morning.

Crowds flocked to the newly opened lido in 1933

She said: "I'm reviving the tradition of the mayor being the first person to jump in to the pool on the opening of the season."

Extra lane swimming sessions will be added to the summer timetable, operators Freedom Leisure said.

A spokesperson for Freedom Leisure said extra evening sessions would be added on Wednesdays and Fridays for the summer season, which runs until 14 September.

The pool will open seven days a week from 06:30 to 20:30 on weekdays and 08:00 to 18:30 for general use on weekends.

Refurbishments also include new condensing boilers which significantly reduce emissions, Freedom Leisure added.

A spokesperson for the operator added: "Freedom Leisure is committed to offering an exceptional experience to its visitors while promoting environmental responsibility.

"The new boilers are just one part of a broader plan to maintain and upgrade the facility, ensuring it continues to serve the community for many more years to come."