Roger Houghton writes to advise that the Council has recently instructed FPD Savills to seek a buyer for the freehold of Cleveland Baths in Hampton Row, Bathwick with a guide price of £400,000. The open air swimming pool was closed about twenty years ago and, after a brief and unsuccessful career as a trout farm, the site has been privately let (for just £1,100 p.a.).

"What many may not be aware of is that the building, which opened in the 1820s, is the only surviving Georgian lido in the country. After the private pool at Emmanuel College, Cambridge it is the oldest swimming pool in the UK.

"Many outdoor pools have closed in recent years but others thrive. The unheated Tooting Bec Lido is open all year and still attracts hundreds of users. Those in Lewes and Cirencester (which, though dating only from the 1850s, claim to be the two oldest pools in Britain) are maintained and run by community trusts, while last year plans to demolish the Victorian Clifton Lido in Bristol were withdrawn following a campaign by the 'Save Clifton Pool' group.

"It may be that for reasons of cost, safety or demand it would be impractical to re-open Cleveland Baths for public use. However, particularly given the importance of bathing both in the history of the city and for future tourism in the region it could, at best, be seen as short-sighted of the Council to sell this Grade 2 listed Georgian gem, described in the agents' details as 'in perfect condition for redevelopment'. [Western Counties ASA] ...more ---> ...

| national news | 28 June 2004; 12:54:20 PM |# | | |