The future of the last working Edwardian Baths in Manchester could be secured next week with a £1m loan.
The council’s executive committee are meeting on Wednesday November 17 and are expected to lay out the plans to secure the funding for the 110-year-old Withington Baths on Burton Road, Withington.
The Love Withington Baths Charitable Trust took over the management of the Baths in 2015 after a group of residents fought for two years to save the building and its operations.
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By saving the Baths, 25 jobs were saved and the building continued to be used by its 2000 members.
The loan, to be paid back over 25 years, will be used to help with essential repair costs after rising construction prices left the Trust short of funds.
Love Withington Baths Charitable Trust have already successfully refurbished elements of the Withington Baths.
The Baths has had a face-lift with two refurbished fitness studios, a shared workspace which gives around 20 traders a place to operate, and the sauna being brought back to life.
They have also been integral in restoring original features of the Edwardian building.
Despite these efforts, further repairs are needed to the pool system, heritage roof and the building’s structure.
These essential jobs require more funding.
The Baths had applied for part of the government’s £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund to progress regeneration projects in the city region, however the bid was unsuccessful.
Instead, the Love Withington Baths Charitable Trust secured a successful Heritage Lottery funding bid (£900k) and an additional £230k from the Baths’ own reserves.
Paul Smith, managing director, Love Withington Baths, said: “Withington is the last working Edwardian pool in Manchester from the extensive network which were built across the city as part of a public health movement in the early part of the 20th century.
“This financial support, partly secured from The National Heritage Lottery Fund and further funding by the council, means that we can complete the full works which are required to restore the Baths to its original condition and to ensure that it continues to provide high quality health and fitness services for local people for years and years to come.”
The amount raised by the Heritage Lottery funding and by the Baths themselves, were supposed to cover the cost of repairs, but the additional £1m will ensure all work can be carried out.
Next week, The council’s executive will be asked to approve the long-term loan, funded through prudential borrowing, which will be paid back over 25-years.
Cllr Bev Craig, leader elect of Manchester city council, said: ‘’The Trust have proven themselves to be a remarkably successful group who have not only saved and retained use of a beautiful heritage building in Withington, but have maintained access to swimming and leisure facilities for the local community.
“This loan will secure the future of this building for the decades to come, providing a sustainable future for the Baths and supporting the continued success of Withington as a better place to live and work.”
