Campaigners who want to save Carlisle’s Turkish Baths said they are nearing the last chance for the venue’s future.
Carlisle’s Victorian and Turkish Baths on James Street are set to close in September when The Pools next door are demolished.
The demolition of the 1970s swimming pools are designed to facilitate the expansion of the train station, under the Borderlands funded Station Gateway project.
Once complete, the redeveloped Sands Centre will become the new home of swimming provision in the city.
But Friends of Carlisle’s Victorian and Turkish Baths are determined to see the historic wellbeing facility continue to operate as long as possible before the 1970s pools are demolished.
They also hope that the baths can continue to operate after works are complete on James Street. Their ambitions to redevelop the baths have previously been put to council and the group is awaiting a decision on its bid to draw down funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund.
In a plea for urgency around the fate of the baths, the volunteers have submitted questions to the city council’s leadership for the next full council meeting on Tuesday July 19.
The council’s health and wellbeing portfolio holder Elizabeth Mallinson will be asked: “What steps are being taken by Carlisle City Council, in partnership with NHS England and the North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, to assess the role the aqua-thermal and hydro-therapeutic facilities of Carlisle Turkish Baths play in supporting the health and wellbeing of local people?”
The group will ask leader of the council John Mallinson: “As the Borderlands Station Gateway project capital works are due to commence and may conclude before the vesting date for the Cumberland Council, what budgetary provision has been made for the maintenance of the James Street Baths in the maintenance programme that will be transferred to Cumberland Council?”
Chairwoman of Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths Julie Minns said: “July really is the last chance. Unless the city council ask GLL to stay on to manage the Turkish Baths, at the end of this month there will be no one to operate them and they will close.
“This is our last opportunity for all of the councillors in that chamber to be fully aware that unless a decision is made, the baths will close.”
