Historic baths get £760k lifeline

The future of the baths had been under discussion

Historic baths at a North Yorkshire spa town have been thrown a cash lifeline by councillors.

Harrogate's Starbeck Baths, which first opened in 1870, previously faced the possibility of closure after needing expensive restoration work.

But campaigners in the town fought to save the building from demolition.

Now a £760,000 cash boost over 10 years is being provided by the town's Leisure Fund. Work will start on improving customer facilities and the plant room.

Funding

Cabinet member Andrew Jones said: "The problems with Starbeck Baths were revealed some years ago. "This investment plan builds on the three-year emergency repair work programme, started in 2004, to secure the baths' immediate future whilst a longer term funding programme was secured.

"We have very detailed knowledge about what is needed at the baths, and unless there are some major unforeseen problems, these funds will be spent on the plant room and customer facilities."

Councillor Pat Jones added: "We have fought to keep the baths open. Starbeck Baths are a popular part of our local infrastructure. They now have a future."