Celebrations as future of Jacob’s Wells Baths secured

The future of Jacob’s Wells Baths as a community space has been secured with the approval of plans to restore the building to its former glory.

First opened in 1889, the Grade II-listed premises in Hotwells provided hot baths and a swimming pool for what was once a very deprived part of the city, but it has since fallen into disrepair.

Now, more than 40 years after it closed as a public pool, the heritage property is to be given a new lease of life following a cabinet decision to pass it on to Fusion Lifestyle, a charity that has ambitious plans to restore the building and reinstate its former purpose.

The baths were considered to be ‘the finest in Europe’

Members of the public rejoiced at the decision, made during a meeting in City Hall on Monday (December 4), saying it will safeguard the long term future of the swimming baths as a space for the wider community.

But Emma Harvey, centre director of Trinity Community Arts, was damning about the transfer of the building into the hands of a national organisation.

Speaking at the meeting, she said: “It is hard to see how Bristol’s voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations – the majority of whom have a turnover of under £500k – would be in a position to acquire assets via a community assets transfer (CAT) bidding process where competing with those of the scale and resource of Fusion Lifestyle – ‘a highly experienced sports and leisure management organisation’ based in London with an annual turnover of £85m (2016).

“With obvious pressures of countering an overwhelming deficit, the fate of our city’s community, cultural and heritage assets hangs in the balance.”

She raised questions about Fusion’s commitment to upholding the values of CAT and said: “the distortion of the CAT policy only serves to fuel potential anxieties around gentrification and further inhibits a sector that is being urged to pick up the slack from the impact of cuts to public service.”

In the South West, Fusion Lifestyle operates Shepton Mallet Lido and Frome Sport & Fitness and the organisation has outlined plans to maintain amenities, such as a cafe and dance hall, alongside the public swimming baths.

Residents Suzanne Jones, Heather Watts, Sally Silverman and Judy Goldsmith welcomed the decision

Hotwells resident Suzanne Jones thanked everyone involved in saving the baths and said its recent use for community events and activities organised by Jacob’s Wells Community Hub has helped provide affordable space and, in turn, give a voice to a “forgotten community”.

“The Jacob’s Wells Baths were built for the public health of the community and we are very excited that this will be top of the agenda once more,” she said.

Between 1980 and 2016, Jacob’s Wells Baths housed Bristol Community Dance Centre, who in 2015 revealed ambitious plans of their own vision for the future of the building. It has also welcomed temporary tenants Artspace Lifespace.

The council will transfer the building to Fusion on a 35-year lease, at a peppercorn rent, subject to receiving an acceptable and sustainable full business plan.

It is expected that the lease will be completed by March 2018, with essential repairs to be undertaken within six months and full refurbishment complete within four years.

The original swimming pool seen underneath the sprung dance floor

Revealing it was the pool she learnt to swim in as a child, cabinet member for communities Asher Craig said she was delighted to approve the transfer, adding: “Fusion scored highest based on a range of criteria. The charity had a clear vision and commitment to working with diverse communities.”

A celebration party, organised by Jacob’s Wells Community Hub will be held on Sunday, December 17 at 3pm.

Read more: Jacob’s Wells Baths set to become a swimming pool again