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Women's gym plan for former Manningham pool (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting TANEWS to 80360, or email
Women's gym plan for former Manningham pool
7:00am Monday 29th October 2012 in News
By Jo Winrow, City Hall Reporter
An artist's impression of the plans
Plans have been submitted to convert the listed former Manningham Pool building, sold off by Bradford Council earlier this year, into a women-only gym.
The building was sold at auction in March for £85,000 and now listed building consent has been applied for, aiming to “minimise the impact on the existing listed fabric of the pool” in a £750,000 development.
Planning agent Amir Hussain said much of what makes the pool historic would be retained in the plans, including the ceramic lip to the waterline and ceramic spittoons.
He said the building had been bought by businessman Amjad Saddique, who wanted to run it as a gym for women.
The plans include altering the old pool with a new level floor insert. There will also be steps down to the sunken pool floor, which will be used as a studio, with a mezzanine floor above to house gym equipment. There will also be a spa lounge, beauty salon and cafe.
Mr Hussain said: “The proposal is to retain as much of the heritage and integrity of the building as possible. This solution does cost a lot, but we are attempting to draw a balance between preserving the building and it having an economically sustainable future.”
If consent is given, the new gym could be up and running by March.
A design statement accompanying the application states: “Following the sale of the building, the new owners want to not only retain this historical building, but also want to ensure it has a secure, commercially viable future.
“The owner realises the importance of the building both as a heritage asset and to the locality.”
The exterior of the Carlisle Road building would be virtually unchanged under the proposals.
The Grade II listed building closed in July last year as the Council looked to save £119,000 a year, and £1.2 million in repairs was also needed. Campaigners had staged a protest in an attempt to keep the pool open at a candlelit vigil swim. The Victorian Society also backed the campaign with its then director Dr Ian Dungavell describing the building as an “extraordinary intact Edwardian swimming pool”.
Comments(45)
Sally Way
says...
8:19am Mon 29 Oct 12
We only have hundreds of ladies only gyms.
Come on use your imagination and think of some thing different.
No to gym, mobile phone shop, 99p chicken and chips or a bazaar.
octyvrs
says...
8:21am Mon 29 Oct 12
Avro
says...
8:31am Mon 29 Oct 12
The Act does not allow discrimination by an association with 25 or more members and who have some form of selection of its members. However, a club or association may restrict their membership to one equality group only but cannot restrict membership to a group defined by colour.
webess
says...
8:57am Mon 29 Oct 12
octyvrs wrote:women only gyms are legal and operate all over the country and have done for years..
Sexism alive and well in Bradford I see.
Avro
says...
9:36am Mon 29 Oct 12
yorkshiredude
says...
10:16am Mon 29 Oct 12
Yeme Architects
says...
10:47am Mon 29 Oct 12
The reality is that unless the building has an economically viable future it will end up vacant and falling into further disrepair.
Crucially, the plans are designed to ensure all the historic elements including the pool and original coal fired boiler are retained and brought into public display. If at some stage in the future, it is decided to reinstate the water in the pool and return to a swimming pool, it could be done.
It is planned that the building will be opened up on Heritage days and other events so that this fine example of an Edwardian bath house can be experienced by everybody.
windymiller
says...
10:53am Mon 29 Oct 12
Yeme Architects
says...
11:09am Mon 29 Oct 12
windymiller wrote:The building could be opened up to the general public on National Heritage Open Days.
How can things be brought into public display if it is a womens only gym?
Elements such as the original boiler room, header tank tower, pool perimeter walkway and other service areas have never been publically accessible in the building's history. However, we now seek to express these area's so that they can be experienced.
Albion.
says...
11:29am Mon 29 Oct 12
Sally Way wrote:SOME ladies probably won't be inclined to use Gyms elsewhere.
That's an original idea isn't it?
We only have hundreds of ladies only gyms.
Come on use your imagination and think of some thing different.
No to gym, mobile phone shop, 99p chicken and chips or a bazaar.
scottie dog
says...
12:34pm Mon 29 Oct 12
craftykhan
says...
12:36pm Mon 29 Oct 12
The Hoffster
says...
1:28pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Avro
says...
1:37pm Mon 29 Oct 12
The Hoffster
says...
2:06pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Avro wrote:Not really; it was to be expected :)
By chance hit a nerve???
Bradford_lad81
says...
2:26pm Mon 29 Oct 12
As for my ignoranace, I deplore all acts of violence in any part of the world. Be it islamic/christian/bl
ack/white red or blue.
angry bradfordian
says...
3:08pm Mon 29 Oct 12
It's great to see a historic building with what looks like a sympathetic renovation.
I'd love to know how a private concern can spend money in redeveloping the site with the aim of making a profit when our esteemed council seem to think that it couldn't be kept open on a not-for-profit basis.
Albion.
says...
3:16pm Mon 29 Oct 12
angry bradfordian wrote:That was as a swimming baths.
To get back to the subject in hand.....
It's great to see a historic building with what looks like a sympathetic renovation.
I'd love to know how a private concern can spend money in redeveloping the site with the aim of making a profit when our esteemed council seem to think that it couldn't be kept open on a not-for-profit basis.
angry bradfordian
says...
3:46pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Albion. wrote:I know it was, but they could have had some foresight to change the use, perhaps as an annex to the leisure centre next door.
angry bradfordian wrote:That was as a swimming baths.
To get back to the subject in hand.....
It's great to see a historic building with what looks like a sympathetic renovation.
I'd love to know how a private concern can spend money in redeveloping the site with the aim of making a profit when our esteemed council seem to think that it couldn't be kept open on a not-for-profit basis.
Bradford Council must have the smallest range of leisure facilities of any major city in the UK.
Patrick Bateman
says...
3:47pm Mon 29 Oct 12
At my local gym there is a large cohort of Muslim members but they are almost without exception male (a couple of the Asian female members are, I suspect, of Indian extraction). Either their womenfolk are discouraged or prevented from joining because - as this proposal demonstrates - there is clearly a market for it.
It is just a shame that Muslim women are so limited in the choices that they are given.
Albion.
says...
3:49pm Mon 29 Oct 12
angry bradfordian wrote:That would have cost money.
Albion. wrote:I know it was, but they could have had some foresight to change the use, perhaps as an annex to the leisure centre next door.
angry bradfordian wrote:That was as a swimming baths.
To get back to the subject in hand.....
It's great to see a historic building with what looks like a sympathetic renovation.
I'd love to know how a private concern can spend money in redeveloping the site with the aim of making a profit when our esteemed council seem to think that it couldn't be kept open on a not-for-profit basis.
Bradford Council must have the smallest range of leisure facilities of any major city in the UK.
angry bradfordian
says...
4:21pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Albion. wrote:Yes, it's a shame the council don't have any spare funds from something like an airport sell-off like Leeds did (oh....)
angry bradfordian wrote:That would have cost money.
Albion. wrote:I know it was, but they could have had some foresight to change the use, perhaps as an annex to the leisure centre next door.
angry bradfordian wrote:That was as a swimming baths.
To get back to the subject in hand.....
It's great to see a historic building with what looks like a sympathetic renovation.
I'd love to know how a private concern can spend money in redeveloping the site with the aim of making a profit when our esteemed council seem to think that it couldn't be kept open on a not-for-profit basis.
Bradford Council must have the smallest range of leisure facilities of any major city in the UK.
It seems strange that a relatively small private company can afford to redevelop a building directly next to a council leisure centre and still hope to make a profit.
However a major organisation with executives on £100k plus and a multi million pound budget can't do it on a not-for-profit basis.
octyvrs
says...
6:35pm Mon 29 Oct 12
webess wrote:Good, I'm glad. They should be segregation. If I went to a gym I don't think I'd want a load of women in it either.
octyvrs wrote:women only gyms are legal and operate all over the country and have done for years..
Sexism alive and well in Bradford I see.
Albion.
says...
6:54pm Mon 29 Oct 12
angry bradfordian wrote:The council got the cash, don't take any risks and the property is being developed to appeal to the local community (well, half of it).
Albion. wrote:Yes, it's a shame the council don't have any spare funds from something like an airport sell-off like Leeds did (oh....)
angry bradfordian wrote:That would have cost money.
Albion. wrote:I know it was, but they could have had some foresight to change the use, perhaps as an annex to the leisure centre next door.
angry bradfordian wrote:That was as a swimming baths.
To get back to the subject in hand.....
It's great to see a historic building with what looks like a sympathetic renovation.
I'd love to know how a private concern can spend money in redeveloping the site with the aim of making a profit when our esteemed council seem to think that it couldn't be kept open on a not-for-profit basis.
Bradford Council must have the smallest range of leisure facilities of any major city in the UK.
It seems strange that a relatively small private company can afford to redevelop a building directly next to a council leisure centre and still hope to make a profit.
However a major organisation with executives on £100k plus and a multi million pound budget can't do it on a not-for-profit basis.
Don't imagine that I'm standing up for the council here, my past record certainly proves otherwise, but they couldn't knock it down and it isn't in a good location for anyone but the locals, so flog it and let someone else worry about it seems the best option to me.
Apollo
says...
7:09pm Mon 29 Oct 12
angry bradfordian
says...
7:15pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Albion. wrote:Completely agree.
angry bradfordian wrote:The council got the cash, don't take any risks and the property is being developed to appeal to the local community (well, half of it).
Albion. wrote:Yes, it's a shame the council don't have any spare funds from something like an airport sell-off like Leeds did (oh....)
angry bradfordian wrote:That would have cost money.
Albion. wrote:I know it was, but they could have had some foresight to change the use, perhaps as an annex to the leisure centre next door.
angry bradfordian wrote:That was as a swimming baths.
To get back to the subject in hand.....
It's great to see a historic building with what looks like a sympathetic renovation.
I'd love to know how a private concern can spend money in redeveloping the site with the aim of making a profit when our esteemed council seem to think that it couldn't be kept open on a not-for-profit basis.
Bradford Council must have the smallest range of leisure facilities of any major city in the UK.
It seems strange that a relatively small private company can afford to redevelop a building directly next to a council leisure centre and still hope to make a profit.
However a major organisation with executives on £100k plus and a multi million pound budget can't do it on a not-for-profit basis.
Don't imagine that I'm standing up for the council here, my past record certainly proves otherwise, but they couldn't knock it down and it isn't in a good location for anyone but the locals, so flog it and let someone else worry about it seems the best option to me.
I wouldn't begrudge the salary that the executive officers on the council are getting if they had the talent that they'd have to get paid that much in the private sector.
Look at the regeneration (or should that be degeneration) chief. If he'd produced result like that in the private sector he wouldn't have a job now.
octyvrs
says...
8:03pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Apollo wrote:Ssshhhh! Not so loud! We can think it but we're not allowed to say it. It's naughty.
Muslim only is what the headline means.
The Hoffster
says...
8:12pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Apollo wrote:Be quiet, BNP/EDL chav supporter.
Muslim only is what the headline means.
Oh, and Islamophobe too.
Saltaire Bantam
says...
8:41pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Sally Way
says...
9:01pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Saltaire Bantam wrote:Mr Bantam do you live in the real world ?
Why can't muslim women and men go to the same gym? We are living in a civilised western country and not the middle east in the 7th century. It is illegal for non muslims to be sexist but it is perfectly acceptable for muslims.
Most gyms have Muslim men and Muslim ladies as members. But you wouldn't know that as you struggle to get off your lazy backside and join a gym.
No where does it say its a Muslim lady gym only. Do you really think a businessman will turn a non-Muslim away.
When you open a gym in Manningham an high Asian area most of your member will be from this community.
Just like someone opening a gym in Harrogate will mainly have white members.would that make them racist?
I know wasting my time on you.
The Hoffster
says...
10:01pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Saltaire Bantam wrote:Why do many *non*-Muslim women prefer to exercise in women-only gyms, Islamophobe ?
Why can't muslim women and men go to the same gym? We are living in a civilised western country and not the middle east in the 7th century. It is illegal for non muslims to be sexist but it is perfectly acceptable for muslims.
Care to explain that one ?
thelastmanstanding
says...
10:30pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Patrick Bateman
says...
10:54pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Sally Way wrote:Nonsense! As I said previously upthread the one I go to has many Muslim male members but almost zero female Muslim members. Why is that do you think? The answer I believe is that they are either discouraged or not allowed to join or there may be some other cultural reason that prevents them from going (although I suspect it is the former explanation). I should add that it cannot be explained away on 'immodesty' grounds either (that is to say they don't go to the gym for fear of being ogled at or being in the presence of men) as their is a large and seemingly underused 'women only' section available.
Saltaire Bantam wrote:Mr Bantam do you live in the real world ?
Why can't muslim women and men go to the same gym? We are living in a civilised western country and not the middle east in the 7th century. It is illegal for non muslims to be sexist but it is perfectly acceptable for muslims.
Most gyms have Muslim men and Muslim ladies as members. But you wouldn't know that as you struggle to get off your lazy backside and join a gym.
No where does it say its a Muslim lady gym only. Do you really think a businessman will turn a non-Muslim away.
When you open a gym in Manningham an high Asian area most of your member will be from this community.
Just like someone opening a gym in Harrogate will mainly have white members.would that make them racist?
I know wasting my time on you.
As I said originally I support the plans for the women's Muslim gym as I feel they would not get the opportunity -or would be permitted - to use this type of facility otherwise (which is a great shame).
Patrick Bateman
says...
10:56pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Patrick Bateman
says...
11:00pm Mon 29 Oct 12
The Hoffster wrote:"Why do many non-Muslum women prefer to exercise in women-only gyms?"
Saltaire Bantam wrote:Why do many *non*-Muslim women prefer to exercise in women-only gyms, Islamophobe ?
Why can't muslim women and men go to the same gym? We are living in a civilised western country and not the middle east in the 7th century. It is illegal for non muslims to be sexist but it is perfectly acceptable for muslims.
Care to explain that one ?
The answer is that they are sick of being leered and perved-over by Muslim men (or so they tell me). My own wife stopped going to the gym as she was fed up by their boorish behaviour,
I hope that answers your question.
Thanks.
spark9990
says...
9:45am Tue 30 Oct 12
Patrick Bateman wrote:Nonsense! to you as well. The gym I go to has many muslim women and just a few muslim men - including me (but I only use the cardio and light weight sections). My wife's friend works in harrogate (a non-muslim), she attends women only gym sessions (shock!!).
Sally Way wrote:Nonsense! As I said previously upthread the one I go to has many Muslim male members but almost zero female Muslim members. Why is that do you think? The answer I believe is that they are either discouraged or not allowed to join or there may be some other cultural reason that prevents them from going (although I suspect it is the former explanation). I should add that it cannot be explained away on 'immodesty' grounds either (that is to say they don't go to the gym for fear of being ogled at or being in the presence of men) as their is a large and seemingly underused 'women only' section available.
Saltaire Bantam wrote:Mr Bantam do you live in the real world ?
Why can't muslim women and men go to the same gym? We are living in a civilised western country and not the middle east in the 7th century. It is illegal for non muslims to be sexist but it is perfectly acceptable for muslims.
Most gyms have Muslim men and Muslim ladies as members. But you wouldn't know that as you struggle to get off your lazy backside and join a gym.
No where does it say its a Muslim lady gym only. Do you really think a businessman will turn a non-Muslim away.
When you open a gym in Manningham an high Asian area most of your member will be from this community.
Just like someone opening a gym in Harrogate will mainly have white members.would that make them racist?
I know wasting my time on you.
As I said originally I support the plans for the women's Muslim gym as I feel they would not get the opportunity -or would be permitted - to use this type of facility otherwise (which is a great shame).
Albion.
says...
11:07am Tue 30 Oct 12
spark9990 wrote:Apart from the obvious (someone named Mohammed) how do you know who is Muslim or a follower of any other religious structure?
Patrick Bateman wrote:Nonsense! to you as well. The gym I go to has many muslim women and just a few muslim men - including me (but I only use the cardio and light weight sections). My wife's friend works in harrogate (a non-muslim), she attends women only gym sessions (shock!!).
Sally Way wrote:Nonsense! As I said previously upthread the one I go to has many Muslim male members but almost zero female Muslim members. Why is that do you think? The answer I believe is that they are either discouraged or not allowed to join or there may be some other cultural reason that prevents them from going (although I suspect it is the former explanation). I should add that it cannot be explained away on 'immodesty' grounds either (that is to say they don't go to the gym for fear of being ogled at or being in the presence of men) as their is a large and seemingly underused 'women only' section available.
Saltaire Bantam wrote:Mr Bantam do you live in the real world ?
Why can't muslim women and men go to the same gym? We are living in a civilised western country and not the middle east in the 7th century. It is illegal for non muslims to be sexist but it is perfectly acceptable for muslims.
Most gyms have Muslim men and Muslim ladies as members. But you wouldn't know that as you struggle to get off your lazy backside and join a gym.
No where does it say its a Muslim lady gym only. Do you really think a businessman will turn a non-Muslim away.
When you open a gym in Manningham an high Asian area most of your member will be from this community.
Just like someone opening a gym in Harrogate will mainly have white members.would that make them racist?
I know wasting my time on you.
As I said originally I support the plans for the women's Muslim gym as I feel they would not get the opportunity -or would be permitted - to use this type of facility otherwise (which is a great shame).
spark9990
says...
11:13am Tue 30 Oct 12
Albion. wrote:From their head wear + occasionally hearing their names when they call each other.
spark9990 wrote:Apart from the obvious (someone named Mohammed) how do you know who is Muslim or a follower of any other religious structure?
Patrick Bateman wrote:Nonsense! to you as well. The gym I go to has many muslim women and just a few muslim men - including me (but I only use the cardio and light weight sections). My wife's friend works in harrogate (a non-muslim), she attends women only gym sessions (shock!!).
Sally Way wrote:Nonsense! As I said previously upthread the one I go to has many Muslim male members but almost zero female Muslim members. Why is that do you think? The answer I believe is that they are either discouraged or not allowed to join or there may be some other cultural reason that prevents them from going (although I suspect it is the former explanation). I should add that it cannot be explained away on 'immodesty' grounds either (that is to say they don't go to the gym for fear of being ogled at or being in the presence of men) as their is a large and seemingly underused 'women only' section available.
Saltaire Bantam wrote:Mr Bantam do you live in the real world ?
Why can't muslim women and men go to the same gym? We are living in a civilised western country and not the middle east in the 7th century. It is illegal for non muslims to be sexist but it is perfectly acceptable for muslims.
Most gyms have Muslim men and Muslim ladies as members. But you wouldn't know that as you struggle to get off your lazy backside and join a gym.
No where does it say its a Muslim lady gym only. Do you really think a businessman will turn a non-Muslim away.
When you open a gym in Manningham an high Asian area most of your member will be from this community.
Just like someone opening a gym in Harrogate will mainly have white members.would that make them racist?
I know wasting my time on you.
As I said originally I support the plans for the women's Muslim gym as I feel they would not get the opportunity -or would be permitted - to use this type of facility otherwise (which is a great shame).
Andy2010
says...
12:12pm Tue 30 Oct 12
What white woman in their right mind is going to walk around this area on an evening.
Patrick Bateman
says...
1:24pm Tue 30 Oct 12
spark9990 wrote:Clearly your experience of local gyms is very different from mine. I can't see the relevance of your friend from Harrogate's preference to women-only gyms as I imagine there are very few Muslims there to use it (unlike here of course). Of course there will be a minority of women everywhere that for whatever reason prefer to exercise exclusively in the company of other women (hardly a 'shock!!') but that's only one part of the issue in our 'home-grown' case.
Patrick Bateman wrote:Nonsense! to you as well. The gym I go to has many muslim women and just a few muslim men - including me (but I only use the cardio and light weight sections). My wife's friend works in harrogate (a non-muslim), she attends women only gym sessions (shock!!).
Sally Way wrote:Nonsense! As I said previously upthread the one I go to has many Muslim male members but almost zero female Muslim members. Why is that do you think? The answer I believe is that they are either discouraged or not allowed to join or there may be some other cultural reason that prevents them from going (although I suspect it is the former explanation). I should add that it cannot be explained away on 'immodesty' grounds either (that is to say they don't go to the gym for fear of being ogled at or being in the presence of men) as their is a large and seemingly underused 'women only' section available.
Saltaire Bantam wrote:Mr Bantam do you live in the real world ?
Why can't muslim women and men go to the same gym? We are living in a civilised western country and not the middle east in the 7th century. It is illegal for non muslims to be sexist but it is perfectly acceptable for muslims.
Most gyms have Muslim men and Muslim ladies as members. But you wouldn't know that as you struggle to get off your lazy backside and join a gym.
No where does it say its a Muslim lady gym only. Do you really think a businessman will turn a non-Muslim away.
When you open a gym in Manningham an high Asian area most of your member will be from this community.
Just like someone opening a gym in Harrogate will mainly have white members.would that make them racist?
I know wasting my time on you.
As I said originally I support the plans for the women's Muslim gym as I feel they would not get the opportunity -or would be permitted - to use this type of facility otherwise (which is a great shame).
The Hoffster
says...
4:00pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Andy2010 wrote:It's like saying which Asian or Black woman will walk around BNP/EDL chav hell-holes like Holmewood, Queensbury, Fagley, Idle, Buttershaw et al...
I have nothing against female only gyms but the location of this one more or less rules out any white woman from going.
What white woman in their right mind is going to walk around this area on an evening.
It just doesn't make sense.
Storms.
says...
11:25pm Tue 30 Oct 12
In my gym a third are white men, a third white women and a third muslim men.
The white men have never leered at the women, however the muslim men leer all the time resulting in all the women leaving (just like Patricks wife).
That has meant that now we are a 100% male gym. But the muslims still seem to enjoy leering at us white men when we wear lycra, but I refuse to leave... in fact I quite enjoy the attention ;)
On a serious note though the following facts apply to every gym the world over but some here seem to be twisting these basic facts to suit a racist agenda:
1. There will always be more men in the free weights section in any gym.
2. There will always be more women in the classes in any gym
3. Conservative women will prefer female only gyms.
4. Heterosexual men like looking at fit women
SinnerSaint
says...
9:03am Wed 31 Oct 12
The Hoffster wrote:So I take it you won't be happy until the whole city is like Manningham and Girlington?
Andy2010 wrote:It's like saying which Asian or Black woman will walk around BNP/EDL chav hell-holes like Holmewood, Queensbury, Fagley, Idle, Buttershaw et al...
I have nothing against female only gyms but the location of this one more or less rules out any white woman from going.
What white woman in their right mind is going to walk around this area on an evening.
It just doesn't make sense.
What a heavenly place that would be.
Another Landless Peasant
says...
5:34pm Thu 1 Nov 12
Andy2010 wrote:god you're such an ignoramus. There are plenty of white women/people in Manningham, it's a very mixed area actually. You should get out more.
I have nothing against female only gyms but the location of this one more or less rules out any white woman from going.
What white woman in their right mind is going to walk around this area on an evening.
windymiller says...
8:11am Mon 29 Oct 12