was inspired to visit your campaign website having gone to see Marshall Street baths on open house day a couple of weeks ago. I am both a keen swimmer and a keen supporter of historic buildings.
I was surprised not to find on the site a reference to Hornsey Road baths (unless I missed it somehow). This is the beautiful historic baths in Islington in which I used to swim until it was shut down more than a decade ago. It must be turn of the century and was very lovely inside (although I confess my memory of the detail is fading). It still stands there unused but not demolished, and there are lots of people in Islington who would love to see it open again. I am not aware of any organised campaign, however, which may explain why it is not listed on your site.
Inspired to bring this to your attention I did a Google search on the baths and came up with the following, which you may find of interest.
1. A photo showing how stylish the baths are from the outside (no inside pictures online but I assure you it’s good!). This is a local landmark for obvious reasons:
2. Some planning documents showing that the future of the baths site was discussed by Islington Council as recently as August, and that developers are being invited to bid. As far as I can work out from a quick skim, the council hopes that a development will include a pool, but does not insist. It also does not mention any preference for preserving the existing interior:
3. Local MP Jeremy Corbyn praising the baths in the House of Commons and suggesting that they need to be reopened, linking this to the coming Olympics (need to scroll down):
4. Press release from Islington Council Labour group supporting the reopening of the baths, but again not suggesting that the existing interior must be retained (need to scroll down):
I wonder if you are aware of the baths and the plans for their future? Given that this appears to be a very live issue, could the campaign offer any support? Do you know of any local activists working in Islington on this, with whom you/we could link up?
One way or another I certainly think that the plight of Hornsey Road baths should be included on your site.
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