£220k boost for baths restorarion
Historic England cash to help preserve more of listed Birmingham landmark
AN exquisite Edwardian swimming baths has been handed a major financial lifeline on more than £200,000 towards its restoration.
Historic England has awarded a grant of £223,000 towards the restoration of the world-renowned grade II*-listed Moseley Road Baths, in Balsall Heath, Birmingham.
The grant will cover the cost of essential repairs to the roof of what was the “money-taker’s” flat and committee room.
Rain water is leaking onto the flat’s original parquet floor and has also caused the frames of the stunning stained glass windows to rust.
The flat was once occupied by the resident money taker, initially by a Mrs Annie Milner.
She was succeeded in 1915 by a Mrs C Hidden.
A set of stairs connected the flat directly to the central ticket office so that takings could be transferred safely without meeting the public.
Moseley Road Baths are one of seven Grade II*-listed swimming baths operating in Britain and an iconic element of this part of Birmingham.
It has taken a coalition of the Friends of Moseley Road Baths, the Moseley Road Baths CIO, Historic England, National Trust, World Monuments Fund and the building’s owner, Birmingham City Council, to ensure the whole of the Edwardian building was saved from closure.
The latest Historic England grant follows previous awards of £707,000 for repairs to the gala pool roof and £116,970 for emergency works to the building’s rear toilets.
Birmingham City Council has contributed financially to a programme of repairs, as has the World Monuments Fund which recently awarded £130,000 for works to the building’s façade.
Historic England’s regional director Midlands, Louise Brennan, said: “Moseley Road Baths has been a key Heritage at Risk project for us for some time now and we’re so keen to see this special building’s future secured.
“We have provided many years of technical advice and expertise, project support and several grants to
ensure this and we’re delighted that the latest award for repairs could lead to the baths offering more community space.”
Moseley Road Baths CIO trustee Kat Pearson said: “Our swimmers
love engaging with the history of this unique building and we’re hugely grateful for this grant, which means more spaces will eventually be able to be bought back into community use. There is always such excitement
when we are able to give tours of the building and being able to access the committee room and flat will help us to show people another aspect of MRB’s history.”
Architect Joe Holyoak, from the
Friends of Moseley Road Baths group and a Post columnist, said: “We are very grateful to Historic England for the repair grants and we look forward to seeing a further part of Moseley Road Baths brought back into good condition so that it can be usefully occupied in the future.”
Cllr Paulette Hamilton, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for health and social care, said: “Repairing the roof structure which is currently open to the elements is the next vital step towards creating a community space in this part of the building, this really is great news.
“I am really excited with the way in which a number of organisations have come together, led by the dedication and drive of Friends of Moseley Road Baths, to restore this landmark spectacular building.
“It really is leading the way for future projects in Birmingham.”