Concerns have been raised for the future of the historic Jacob's Wells Baths building after a leisure group "withdrew" from a project to restore it as a pool and leisure centre. Neighbours are now working to secure it as a vibrant central hub for the Hotwells community.
There were plans to convert the Grade II listed building into a leisure centre and reinstate an indoor pool by Fusion, which took it over in 2018 as part of a community asset transfer. It came after Bristol City Council invited expressions of interest from not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises to take over its management in 2017.
But the impact of the pandemic on the leisure market and a sharp increase in costs has seen these being shelved, and Fusion has expressed regret at being unable to implement the conversion. While the council says it still intends for it to be restored and "brought back into active use for the benefit of Bristol", some members of the community are worried it could be sold for development instead.
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A council spokesperson said: "We are disappointed by Fusion Lifestyle’s decision to withdraw from the Jacob’s Wells Baths project. Contractors are working on site to ensure that it remains secure while we consider our options and next steps.
“It remains our ambition to see this Grade II Listed building restored and brought back into active use for the benefit of Bristol. A community group has been in touch and has discussed potential options with officers."
The campaign to save it has secured support from community arts organisation Trinity Bristol. Chief executive Emma Harvey said: “This presents us with a lifeline to bring the space back into use as a home for community, arts and educational activities, in line with its history, as well as in response to previous consultation and the desperate need for community space within the locality.
“We are working with community stakeholders and other conservation experts with a proven track record in saving buildings, who together, are in dialogue with the council to see what can be done to develop and deliver a viable recovery scheme.” She said the condition of the property had deteriorated over the last couple of years and repairs would not be “immediate".
She added: “If we hope to breathe life back into the space, the first step is demonstrating we have what it takes as a city to take on, restore and manage the asset over the long-term. If anyone wants to help right now, they can do this by making sure councillors and decision makers in the city know just how important this building is to the people of Bristol."
Heather Anne, a Jacob's Wells Community Hub campaigner, said: “Every community deserves a community space - a secular space where everyone is an equal. Our central area is devoid of a flourishing community centre.
“We need to create a 20-minute neighbourhood that will encourage people to walk and cycle. Local shops, dentist, doctor, post office, bank, and optician need to be a short walk from your home. Hotwells needs a High Street.
“Jacob's Wells Baths was successfully repurposed and used as a dance and performance space for several decades. The building is now very cold and damp. It needs and deserves some tender loving care. It has an elegant facade and a social history that is evident from the lettering above both doors."
The building was a community and dance hub for over 30 years until 2016 and had installed a rosewood sprung floor over the old swimming pool. Prior to that the baths were used until the 1970s.
It was originally a Victorian bath house called Hotwells Public Baths and the male and female baths were separate. Men were allowed access to the first and second class bathing and swimming, but women were only allowed second class bathing with no swimming allowed.
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