Historic former baths to be restored following campaign

A city arts organisation will now manage Jacob’s Wells Baths after campaigners fought to save it from being sold off.

Once a bathhouse for the poor, the grade II-listed building in Hotwells has lain empty and increasingly dilapidated since its closure as a dance centre in 2016.

At the start of 2023, Bristol City Council said it was unable to continue to cover the baths’ upkeep and put out a call for someone to restore them.

It has now been decided Trinity Community Arts will manage Jacob’s Wells Baths with the council granting it a 35-year Community Asset Transfer (CAT) lease.

This is subject to a business plan which can deliver the rehabilitation of the building, with Trinity receiving a six month occupational licence to undertake surveys of the work needed.

Fidel Meraz, trustee from Trinity, said there has “never been a more important time for projects like this”.

? We are pleased to announce we have been awarded a CAT lease for Jacobs Wells Baths. ❤️ to everyone who has been involved in the community-led appeal, including Clifton ward Councillors, Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association & Jacobs Wells Community Hub
? Jane Northcote pic.twitter.com/dP0r2QAfY8

— Trinity Bristol (@TrinityBristol) July 28, 2023

The appeal to save the building started in January when leisure group Fusion scrapped an £8m project to regenerate Jacob’s Wells Baths as a leisure, dance, arts and community centre.

Both Trinity, which manages a live music venue in St Jude’s, and Bristol Historic Buildings wanted to take the building over from the council and turn it into a community arts space.

But ideas were thrown into doubt when cabinet members rubber-stamped plans to sell off the building before the CAT process had been completed.

“While we still have some distance to travel, this marks the first step in the preservation and restoration of Jacob’s Wells Baths,” Meraz said.

“This is a building that not only holds immense architectural significance but also provides space to facilitate enhanced access to essential services and support for the community.

“Bringing this vital building back into use will create a nurturing environment where individuals can find a sense of belonging and empowerment in overcoming the challenges they face.

Trinity CEO Emma Harvey added: We’re pleased that we can adopt an approach which helps not only to restore this building for the community but most importantly keeps the building in public ownership.”

Plenty of work needs to be done to bring the building back to its former glory – photo: Betty Woolerton

Rachel McNally, chair of Hotwells and Cliftonwood Community Association, said: “We are delighted that the council listened to local people and everyone who campaigned to save Jacob’s Wells Baths for community use.

“We very much look forward to working with Trinity and our community to breathe life back into this wonderful building.

“We can’t wait to fill Jacob’s Wells Baths with people, art, performance, music, laughter and friendship for years to come.”

The building was a community and dance hub for more than 30 years and had installed a rosewood sprung floor over the old swimming pool. Before this, the building was used as a bathhouse until the 1970s.

Main photo: Betty Woolerton

Read next:

• ‘We can reimagine a different future for Jacob’s Wells Baths’
• A forgotten corner of Hotwells could finally be improved
• Vision to turn former pool into ‘jewel of Cliftonwood and Hotwells’

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: