London Pools Campaign: Haggerston Pool

Hackney's swimming pool saga rumbles toward new chapter

webteam — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:16:28 GMT

This week's Hackney Gazette tells how work estimated in excess of £22,000,000 is being considered to refurbish the listed Haggerston Baths in Laburnum Street E2. The baths were closed 2000 when the council alleged it was unable to foot the several hundred thousand pound bill to keep it open.

At the same time as this planning and discussion is going on the long rumoured review of Kings Hall Leisure Centre in Lower Clapton that has lost two of its tanks in the last 20 years. The future of the two pools (Kings Hall and Haggerston) are linked and the public may be given a Hobson's Choice. Despite decades of requests for a long-term plan for swimming pool provision in the borough a lifeline for one may spell the death-knell for the other.

There is no indication of whether a plan or feasibility is being produced for a complete overhaul of the ailing Britannia Leisure Centre which is a natural choice for a superb new facility on the city borders with space aplenty.

Haggerston Pool Campaign Street Party

pool@... — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 20:09:21 GMT

Haggerston Pool Campaigners celebrated the 102nd birthday of the pool with a big street party on July 2nd with 2 stages, 70 stalls in the street, open days at Laburnum Boat Club and the Suleymaniye mosque. The highlight of the day was the parade with a samba band and an enormous swimming pupppet.

THe street party is held to draw attention to the pool still being closed after 6 years. Haggerston Pool was closed in 2000 at the height of Hackney Council's overspend on Clissold Leisure Centre. At the time it was estimated that £300,000 would have kept the pool open for 5 or 6 years. It is estimated Hackney Council have spent nearly £50 million on Clissold Leisure Centre which is due to re-open in summer 2007.

Calls for Haggerston Pool to reopen

webteam — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 01:51:34 GMT

"Local campaigners are holding a consultation on Wednesday this week (January 18) which will feature a key note address from ex-sports minister Kate Hoey.
Goodhew has also added his voice to the campaign: "Well done to those people in Haggerston who are being proactive in their fight to reopen the Haggerston Baths. Our swimming baths are part of our communities. They enhance quality of life and are an essential part of what makes a desirable place to live.""

(Via Leisure Opportunities - daily jobs, news training and property, Calls for Haggerston Pool to reopen: .)

Haggerston Baths, consultation moves on

webteam — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 19:08:05 GMT

There is renewed interest at the London Borough of Hackney in re-opening Haggerston Pool that has been covered by the scurrilous website not the Clissold Leisure Centre.

"Haggerston Baths was closed in 2000 to save Hackney money, pay for the runaway costs on Clissold Leisure Centre and pave the way for the contract that Leisure Connection were demanding from LBH. To keep the building open then would have cost thousands of pounds, it was in better condition then than Kings Hall is now. Now after being left derelict and squatted it will cost £££millions£££.
A consultation is now taking place on it's refurbishment but guess what? that doesn't mean they want a swimming pool to be what you want - or get. Read the attached questionnaire (PDF 980K) that seems to us to be trying to get people to express an interest in anything except retaining a swimming facility. People's views on converting it to flats and offices are even sought.
,,,,,,,," continues

(Via Clissold Leisure Users' News Haggerston Baths, consulting or insulting?: .)

The London Pools Campaign were not at Haggerston Pool but the regulars from the Haggerston Campaign were and over the two days of Open House weekend 2005 they had a display and provided information meeting with visitors in a refreshingly open and welcoming manner. London Borough of Hackney staff also were in attendance mounting an Open House event at the pool for the first time and used the day to cast their consultation net and to get the thoughts and ideas from visitors.

LPC is not responsible for the content posted on external websites and, through creating a linkage, does not infer that it agrees with, supports or condones their content and statements

Laburnum Street Party this Sunday

webteam — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 20:27:16 GMT

Laburnum Street Party to celebrate the 101st birthday of Haggerston Pool is being held from 12 - 6 pm on Sunday July 3rd in Laburnum Street which runs between Kingsland Rd and Queensbridge Rd in E2.

There will be a big stage in the street with Kiss FM, R+B singers, DJ's, MC's, Turkish Drumming, Oldtime music hall, Elvis singalike, Chinese traditional dancing and much more.

Also 50 stalls in the street with food, crafts, bric-a-brac, tombola, games, facepainting - as well as bouncy castle, clown, street cinema and children's area. Plus 'Come and try it' day at Laburnum Boat club, tours of the Suleymaniye mosque and exhibition at the Drawing Room art gallery.

This year's street party is funded by: Single Community Program, Canalside HA, Pinnacle HA, Mouchel Parkman, WAG and London & Quadrant HA

More information: "Liz Hughes", Haggerston Pool Community Trust, 020 7690 6662

PROPERTY DEVELOPER OFFERS TO REFURBISH HAGGERSTON POOL

webteam — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 06:14:14 GMT

Hackney Council are threatening to compulsory purchase the site of Tannery Arts behind Haggerston Pool for part of a new city academy.

The owner of the site, Russell Gray, who also runs a property restoration company, has responded by offering to refurbish Haggerston Pool himself - instead of handing over his land. He told Hackney Gazette that the responsible option for the new school would be for it to incorporate the refurbished Haggerston Pool - instead of demolishing the gallery and studios and leaving the pool derelict.

Events seem to be ever more confusing with the Council and UBS alleged to be finding it difficult to keep Haggerston Pool as a component of the proposed scheme.

Haggerston Pool was closed in February 2000 while Hackney Council was overspending on Clissold Leisure Centre. Pool Campaigners held a street party on June 26th 2004 to celebrate the centenary of the pool and highlight its continued closure.

LABURNUM STREET PARTY 100 years at Haggerston pool

webteam — Tue, 22 Jun 2004 07:17:00 GMT

We're holding a street party to celebrate the centenary of Haggerston Pool. It's on Saturday June 26th from 2pm til 8pm in Laburnum St, E2 which is the small street at the back of Haggerston Pool running between Queensbridge Road and Kingsland Road next to the canal.