Action group’s joy as pool sale sinks (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

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Action group’s joy as pool sale sinks

8:40am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Bradford By Jo Winrow

BUOYANT MOOD: Members of Manningham Baths Action Committee would like to re-open the pool

Historic Manningham Pool is back on the market after an auction bidder failed to complete the sale.

The grade II-listed swimming pool closed its doors in July in an effort to save Bradford Council £119,000 a year.

Last month the Council confirmed the winning bid of £140,000 at auction, but it has now emerged the potential buyer did not finalise the sale within the deadline.

So the building has now been listed for sale again at an auction is to be held later this month, along with 11 other Bradford Council assets that are being sold off.

It is described in the catalogue as dating back to 1903 and having the potential for alternative use, subject to gaining consent. Photographs also show the pool intact but emptied of water.

The Carlisle Road building comprises of a lower ground floor that includes a boiler room and filter room; the ground floor includes a reception, central swimming pool, three changing rooms, a sauna, slipper baths, toilets and office. There is also an office on the first floor. The guide price is between £70,000 and £140,000.

Bruce Barnes, of Manningham Baths Action Committee, which was set up to try to save the pool, told the Telegraph & Argus the news the initial sale had fallen through gave the group hope.

“I am hoping the Council now realises it is saddled with an asset it can’t sell and it can’t do anything with – so it should work with us.

“One option would be to talk to the community about reopening the pool on a co-operative basis. It may involve a little bit more money and time being spent, but I think its worth exploring.

“The worst thing would be for the Council to ignore the building and let it fall into disrepair, meaning it becomes less of a saleable asset.”

Comments(8)

angry bradfordian says...
8:52am Sat 4 Feb 12

Talk about a group full of self interest. I'm disgusted that they feel 'joy' at the sale falling through. It's a public asset that isn't sustainable because not enough people use it.
If the council with a multi million pound turnover can't run it, how would a co-operative do it.
Nobody even knows what the people buying it were going to do with it. They may have been a swimming club or the Victorian Society for all we know.

I know there aren't many baths like this left, but to call it 'historic' is a bit emotive.