* Update 040118: London Fields Lido opened early today and a steady stream of users arrived throughout the day, praising the improvements. Opening hours 6.30am-9pm (under floodlights)

LOVING DALSTON was given a sneak preview of London Fields Lido this morning, Wednesday 030118, a day before it is officially due to open.

For almost a year, fans of the capital’s finest outdoors pool have had to accept unexpected postponements of their chance to use it again after repairs budgeted at £1.5 million fell behind schedule. Users will be crossing their flippers in hope that no last-minute problem arises before the watershed moment tomorrow 4 January 2018.

As they dip into the 27deg Celsius pool, swimmers are likely to be pleased with the poolside improvements, notably more sensibly arranged lanes, better changing rooms, with under-floor heating and lockers; the retention of the small changing cabinets and new small changing cabinets for those who prefer privacy; good disabled-user facilities; comfortable seats in the entrance hall; and of course facilities for transgender users. Outside locker keys come one black wristbands, the interior changing-room keys with white.

David Altheer 030118

* Backstory: Reopening in January 2018; Absurd lido panic; New swim date sinks without explanation; Lido nears end of repairs for serious leaks; Lido repairs going well, says contractor; Late reprieve for lido; Hiring a contractor is not going swimmingly; Lido’s off-the-wall horror; Sell Haggerston heritage says Hackney

*  Pictures © DavidAltheer [at] gmail.com and all for sale for reproduction.