Diving in: a future for Moseley Road Baths The expert view ‘Nowadays most of us take for granted the facility to wash daily in hot water, to dress in clean laundered clothes, and when we choose to swim, to do so in a hygienic, safe environment (one reason why swimming is now the nation's second most popular form of recreation, after walking). Opened in 1907, Moseley Road Baths is a glowing reminder of how we attained these basic privileges. Courtesy of progressive civic leaders and innovative engineers and architects – not for nothing did the Victorians regard themselves as the new Romans – Britain led the newly industrialised world in terms of public baths provision. In today’s England only around 40 such examples from that era survive, and the number diminishes every year. Of those that do still operate, most have lost many of their original features. Moseley Road Baths, by contrast – the only pre-war public baths that is listed Grade II* and remains in use for swimming – is an extraordinary survivor. Both its opulent exterior and interior are almost completely intact. Its Gala Pool, although closed since 2003, remains one the grandest of its kind ever seen. Also, its slipper baths sections for men and women are by far the largest and best preserved in Britain. Until the 1960s the majority of households didn't have their own baths, so facilities such as these played a key role in people’s weekly routines (my mother’s included). In 1907 it was Birmingham rate payers who footed the bill for this municipal masterpiece. In 2018 it is local residents who are leading the campaign to save it, not only for swimming but as a community hub. Their efforts deserve to be supported, for make no mistake, Moseley Road Baths is a rare building, of rare quality, but one whose familiar story, of basic human dignity and aspiration, touches us all.’ Simon Inglis, Editor of the ‘Played in Britain’ series Co-author of ‘Great Lengths – the historic indoor swimming pools of Britain’ (English Heritage 2009) 2 Contents The expert view 2 Significance 5 What’s the problem with Moseley Road Baths 6 Location and A345 corridor 7 Why swimming here matters to Balsall Heath (and Birmingham) 17 How do we propose to save the Baths? 19 A ‘Coalition of the Willing’ 20 Progress made since the last Cabinet paper 22 The project – possible phases & timeline 23 Outcomes 24 Footnote 25 Images copyright: Attilio Fiumarella, Steve Beauchampé, Vivienne Harrison, Mike Caters, Rachel Gillies, Russ Spring, The Friends of Moseley Road Baths 3 “When the Baths closed for a short period we tried other places but nothing really took our heart; this place is just home to us.” – Bushra 4 Significance Moseley Road Baths is the oldest of only five Grade II* Listed swimming baths currently operating in Britain – and the only one outside London still open for swimming to the general public. It is the only pre-1914 baths to have continuously hosted swimming since its opening. Swimming has taken place at the baths for 110 years. Remarkable for its completeness of form, fabric and layout the baths are testament to Birmingham’s civic pride. They contain unique original fixtures and fittings including a complete set of 46 private washing rooms known as the ‘slipper baths’ (the only complete set in the country); the oak ticket offices and attendants’ kiosks; possibly the only surviving steam-heated drying racks in a British swimming pool; the original 45,000-gallon capacity cast iron cold water storage tank; and a three-sided spectator gallery with unique balconettes in the Gala Pool. Simon Inglis, author of the groundbreaking series of books on sporting heritage, Great Lengths, describes it as one of the most internationally significant buildings of its type anywhere in the world. As well as being listed at Grade II* the Baths have been included on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register since 2005 and was added to the World Monuments Fund Watch List in 2016. Combined these indicate both the building’s significance and the risk it now faces. In 2003 the ‘First Class’ gala pool closed amid safety fears. This was followed in 2004 by the closure of the slipper baths – remarkably, they were still in use until then. Historic England’s perspective is that the areas of the highest conservation significance are: • The slipper baths area (albeit, the original baths were replaced in the 1950s); • The associated separation by class and gender, including the entrances, corridors, and attendant and ticket booths; • The modulation of decoration throughout the building. 5 What’s the problem with Moseley Road Baths? • Despite intense local campaigning for over 10 years, led by the Friends of Moseley Road Baths, Birmingham City Council was planning to close Moseley Road Baths permanently on 21 July 2017. • In a report carried out by conservation architects Rodney Melville & Partners ten years ago, the estimated cost of full conservation restoration to MRB was outlined as c£30m. • Since that time, the baths have deteriorated considerably due to lack of investment and also in part due to the work carried out by BCC’s framework contractor, Acivico, who have repeatedly carried out work to the building without applying for the necessary consents. The poor levels of workmanship have actively contributed to the deterioration of the building. • Mothballing costs have been estimated to run to several millions of pounds and there was no plan for what to do with the building post closure. • The City has invested in a dozen new pools in Birmingham in partnership with Sport England – one of these pools, in Sparkhill, had been identified as the replacement pool for the Balsall Heath community. • Moseley Road Baths is in an area of economic deprivation where there has been less potential for development investment. Balsall Heath is minutes away from the City Centre and is the next zone out of the City Centre beyond Digbeth and the HS2 Curzon zone. Plans to re-open the Camp Hill train line would have a catalytic effect on the area. The Baths are one of a number of significant listed buildings on the A435 ‘heritage corridor’. • Twelve local schools swim at Moseley Road Baths. Most of the schools walk to the pool. Eleven of the schools when consulted, have stated a preference to continue swimming at Moseley Road. • Memories of learning to swim at Moseley Road Baths are deeply ingrained in the city’s conscience – many Birmingham residents, their parents and grandparents learned to swim in the Baths. • Birmingham ranks at the very bottom of the RSA Heritage Index in respect of its built environment out of 325 Local Authorities, thanks in part to eleven Grade II* buildings at risk, three of which are on the Moseley Road ‘heritage corridor’. 6 Ring Road Edgbaston Moseley Road Baths Sparkbrook Balsall Heath Edgbaston Cricket Ground Moseley Location and A435 corridor To the South – A435 Moseley (2 mins), Kings Heath (5 mins) To the East – Balsall Heath, Sparkhill, Sparkbrook, A34 Stratford Road To the West – Edgbaston (10 mins) To the North – City Centre, Digbeth, HS2 Curzon zone, Bullring (10 mins) Moseley Road Baths is located on the A435 (and No 50 Bus Route) a major arterial route into the City Centre from South Birmingham. 7 Key heritage buildings on Moseley Road 1. Moseley Arms public house c.1840 (Grade II), corner Moseley Road and Ravenhurst Street 2. 90 Moseley Road, c.1810-20 (Grade II) 3. 94 Moseley Road, c.1850-55 (Grade II) 4. 98 Moseley Road, c.1850 (Grade II) 5. 102 Moseley Road, c.1820-30 (Grade II) 6. 110-114 Moseley Road, c.1820 (Grade II) 7. Friends Institute (1898), 220 Moseley Road, by John Bowen 8. 232 Moseley Road, (local list Grade B) 9. Highgate Fire Station, 1912, by G Bernard Cox & Arthur Harrison 10. 356 Moseley Road, c.1830-40 (Grade II) 11. 360-362 Moseley Road, c.1830-40 (Grade II) 12. Moseley Road baths & Library, 1896 & 1907 (Grade II*) 13. Church of Christ Chapel, 1912 (next door to baths) now Masjeed Muslim Student House 14. Moseley Road Art School, 1899 (Grade II*) 15. Moseley & Balsall Heath Institute, 1876, 572-574 Moseley Road now Moseley Dance Centre (local list Grade A) also by William Hale 16. Moseley Tram Depot, 1906 (Grade II), now indoor climbing centre A435 streetscape and ‘heritage corridor’ Mosque & Masjid Balsall Heath Library Gurdwara Moseley School of Art Old Print Works Friends’ Institute GII* listed, 1898 (opposite MRB) GII listed (opposite MRB) GII* listed, 1897 Major repairs & refurbishment Well used but building in BCC-owned – run down underway, with funding from HE poor state and HLF to be completed Aug 9 2018 The Gala Pool “I swam in the Gala Pool just before it closed; the light that came flooding in through the windows was gorgeous.” – Rachel 10 “I learned to swim at Moseley road in the mid 70's. My gran would take me for swimming lessons with Mr Eggason on a Monday evening, then a Bovril in the little room next to the entrance and home for Star Trek. Such memories of the interior and exterior of this gem of a pool...really, a crying shame it might close.” – Joe 11 Pool 2 “It's our local swimming pool. If it wasn't for this pool my son wouldn't be swimming now. It's the only form of fitness he enjoys.” – Muhammad When the building opened in 1907, the ‘Second Class’ pool closed for swimming during the winter as it was difficult and expensive to heat the water during the cold weather.