A last ditch attempt to save Carlisle’s historic baths will be made at a council meeting next week.
It will be Carlisle City Council’s final opportunity to rescue the facility from closure before its finances are taken over by the new Cumberland Council.
Members of the Friends of the Turkish Baths group will attend the Civic Centre on Tuesday April 26 for the last full council meeting before the election on May 5.
The election will appoint members to the new Cumberland Council.
Although it will serve alongside Carlisle City Council as a shadow authority for one year, it will take control of the existing council’s budget after the election and takes full control in April 2023.
It is the campaign group’s last chance to urge Carlisle City Council to save the baths.
Julie Minns, the campaign group’s leader said: “It’s the last meeting of the city council before the new authority is elected which is why we’re very keen to make our representations at this meeting.
The group has campaigned for the continuation of Carlisle’s Turkish Health Suite since it was revealed the heritage asset is under threat.
Carlisle’s swimming provision and staff of its operator GLL will be moved to the Sands Centre once its redevelopment is complete.
The 1970s pool building will be demolished at that point, forcing the closure of the adjacent Turkish Baths which is the only facility of its kind in the North West.
Friends of the Turkish Baths have called on councillors to hand ownership of the baths to the public so that they can embark on an ambitious restoration, repurposing the neighbouring 20 metre pool and powering the health suite with renewables.
Ms Minns said: “It’s the last meeting for the city council to give its response unfettered by the Shadow Authority.
“There are two asks we have, one is long term, we know that will be taken by Cumberland; that’s what happens to the baths on James Street. There is a short term Carlisle council can make, that’s to agree to keep the Turkish Baths open as long as possible until the 1970s pool commences.”
“The baths have become a bit of a totem for people’s frustration with what has been lost over the last 10 years in Carlisle, a lot of little gem buildings.
Councillor Stephen Higgs, portfolio holder for culture, heritage and leisure at the city council said: “We’ll certainly be interested to hear what they’ve got to say. I think what they want is for us to tender for an operator after GLL but unfortunately, we’re still not in a position to be able to do that.”
Cllr Higgs said that the council cannot make a decision on this until more details are given on the Cumbria County Council led redevelopment of Carlisle Railway Station and the creation of a new car park off James Street to facilitate it.
“We still haven’t got the full details of what that’s going to encompass. When it’ll start, how long it’ll take, the disruption of the power and heat to the Turkish Baths.”
The campaign group is urging concerned members of the public to attend the meeting at the Civic Centre at 6.45pm next Tuesday.
