People are being asked to help The Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths to clean two hidden rooms in the James Street Baths this weekend.
The rooms are in a two-storey extension that was added to the baths in 1920 to provide a ladies’ waiting room, and contain an Art Deco skylight, terrazzo floor and period staircase.
For a time the rooms were used as a gym but have been closed to the public for several years and are currently used for storage.
Campaigners are hoping to bring the rooms back into use as part of their Vision to revitalise the historic baths.
Lynn Graham, vice chair of the group, said: “There is ample space on the ground floor to create small treatment rooms that could be hired out to local therapists while upstairs would make a lovely lounge where visitors could relax after a massage or Turkish Bath. The possibilities are endless.”
The group has also invited Carlisle’s councillors to pop in on Sunday for a rare glimpse of what lies behind the locked door leading from the Grade II listed Turkish Baths.
Lynn added: “We chose this weekend because Saturday is World Make A Difference Day and we thought it would be nice to make a difference to a building that has been making a difference for the people of Carlisle for over a century.”
Anyone is welcome to join in on Sunday, and further details can be found on the Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths Facebook page.
