Who will splash out on Victorian swimming pool?

SMART thinking will be needed to secure a positive future for Forfar’s Victorian swimming pool building, a local councillor has said.

Two years on from the final session in the Vennel baths – before they were replaced with a new, six-lane pool at the town’s £39 million community campus – for sale signs have finally gone up on its historic sandstone façade.

It comes after Angus Council declared the pool surplus to requirements.

No price tag has been put on the property.

Selling agents say it presents a development opportunity with a number of potential uses, subject to planning permission.

Dundee-based chartered surveyors Shepherds said there had already been early interest in the property.

With car parking included within the site, the old pool sits beside the town’s Asda supermarket.

It is also opposite the rear entrance to former council offices at the Cross, which were recently sold after being the subject of a failed and controversial “superpub” plan by pub chain JD Wetherspoon.

Forfar independent councillor and depute provost Colin Brown hopes the landmark property will quickly find a new owner.

“It will require innovative thinking to give it a new lease of life, but I am sure there will be someone out there with a good idea for it, and hopefully they will come forward quickly,” he said.

Angus Council has also instructed the sale of two other surplus properties – the former registrar’s office on John Street, Montrose, and Lunan Park resource centre on Guthrie Street, Friockheim.