A Century of Swimming Secured

_{Moseley Road Baths in Birmingham, still open for swimming | © Moseley Road Baths}

Moseley Road Baths is one of Birmingham’s most important heritage buildings and one of only two GradeII baths predating 1914 that are still in use.

The first phase of construction works for the restoration and redevelopment of Moseley Road Baths and Balsall Heath library is to begin this month.

Moseley Road Baths is one of the oldest of six Grade II* Listed swimming baths in the UK. This first phase of the project will be in four stages, beginning with crucial roof and façade works, which will see scaffolding erected during September.

This phase will also see:

• Introduction of a café into the Second-Class Slipper Baths
• Reconfiguration of the visitor spaces, especially in the reception areas
• Reinforcement works to the basement and foundations − Installation of renewable energy including air source heat pumps
• Access improvements, including creating permanent level access on entry and installation of the first of three new lifts to the buildings

Phase 1 works have been funded by UK Government, Birmingham City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is a partnership between Birmingham City Council and Moseley Road Baths Charitable Incorporated Organisation who took over the operation of the Baths in 2017.

This first phase is a major milestone in the campaign to save the Baths which is supported by a wider coalition of organisations: Historic England, World Monuments Fund, National Trust, and the Friends of Moseley Road Baths.

Councillor Saima Suleman, cabinet member for digital, culture, heritage and tourism, commented: “Swimming, health and wellbeing have always been at the centre of this project.

“It’s vital the future of this amazing building can be secured but as we’ve always said, the project has been about so much more than the building. This is such an exciting project that will have such a positive impact for the Balsall Heath community, which is one of the most deprived wards in the city.”

We are excited to announce that ISG has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver phase 1 building works. ISG has worked on a number of other major city-based projects including the City Council House and University of Birmingham’s global campus, with offices located in central Birmingham.

The building works have been designed by Donald Insall Associates, supported by Max Fordham, Mann Williams and Artelia, and Project Managed by global programme and project delivery consultants and construction experts Mace. Luke Arnold, Regional Director at ISG said “We are delighted to undertake phase 1 major construction work at Moseley Road Baths, an iconic landmark in South Birmingham, supporting the local and city-wide community to realise the full benefits and legacy of this exciting project for current and future generations.”

This first phase of works follows months of public engagement, enabling the community to help shape the plans. This has included widespread consultation locally through drop-in sessions to see and comment on the plans as well as feedback from national organisations and industry experts.

Four pilot activities which took place throughout last year were a major platform for official community feedback made possible through a grant of £477K from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players. The pilot activities created 205 Birmingham-based freelance opportunities and featured collaborations with 33 different local organisations.

36 people had a ‘Slipper bath’. Over 4,000 people visited ‘Balsall Heath’s Living Room’.

Six young people (18-30) were employed to develop their creative and employability skills leading to a podcast series “Bathcasts” interpreting the Baths’ heritage. 6000 people visited Balsall Heath Library’s ‘Imaginarium’ whose centre piece sculpture designed by Intervention Architecture was longlisted for a RIBA McEwen award.

Phase 1 is the beginning of realising the masterplan vision for the Baths. Phase 2 is subject to further funding which will include the restoration of the iconic Gala Pool and converting Pool 2 into a permanent hireable event space.

Moseley Road Baths is one of the oldest of six Grade II* Listed swimming baths in the United Kingdom. For many years, the Baths were under threat of closure.

Faced with the potential loss of a cherished community facility, local people campaigned to keep their pool open. So significant are the Baths that the Friends of Moseley Road Baths secured the interest of World Monuments Fund, who included the Baths on the 2016 World Monuments Watch to call attention to the planned closure.

They also feature on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register. In 2016 a group of organisations came together to form a coalition, to work alongside Birmingham City Council (who owns the building) to reimagine a new future for the Baths with swimming at its heart. Working together, the coalition has developed a masterplan to restore the magnificent Grade II* Baths and Library at the heart of the Balsall Heath community.

The regeneration of both buildings will unite and transform these historic masterpieces into a heritage-led wellbeing, leisure and cultural destination run with and for local people, and open to the world. Since late 2017, the Baths have been operated by Moseley Road Baths CIO.

The coalition comprises Birmingham City Council, Moseley Road Baths CIO, Historic England, World Monuments Fund, National Trust, and the Friends of Moseley Road Baths. Working together, the ‘coalition’ has contributed over £3m of time, expertise and funding. In 2021 the coalition announced it had successfully bid for £15.6m funding from the UK government and in 2022 received £477K in a Development Phase grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.