A fee rise at one of the few traditional Turkish baths left in London has been put on ice after uproar from regulars.
Customers at Porchester Spa, Bayswater, said they were “appalled” when Everyone Active, the company that runs the baths for Westminster council, said it would raise the standard entry charge from £16.05 to £21.55 from this week.
A concession for disabled and older people living outside the borough was set to nearly double from £9.40 to £18.45.
But councillors yesterday promised to rethink the changes after a campaign by regular bathers, who can use the facilities nude on “single sex” days.
Nina Haye, 49, who has MS and arthritis, has used the spa for 10 years. She said: “My rheumatologist said, ‘Whatever you’re doing in the steam room, keep doing it’ … With the price rise, I [wouldn’t] be going.”
Opposition Labour councillor Maggie Carman wrote to the council: “This will massively disadvantage pensioners among others. How can this enormous price hike be justified?”
The Grade II listed baths had a £750,000 refurbishment last year.
A Westminster council spokesman said: “We have re-negotiated a new special 2020 entry price. Full details will be announced shortly.”
