£500,000 of works for historic Leeds swimming baths

Bosses at Bramley Baths hope the eco-hub will reduce energy costs by up to 40 per cent, reducing its environmental impact and allowing the social enterprise to re-invest the savings into other projects.

Bramley Baths chief executive Sue Stones said the investment – made possible by grant funding – will replace the existing ageing machinery and hopes it will reduce to ‘practically zero’ the number of pool closures due to technical problems at the community-led venture.

The cash will pay for a new filtration system, pipework and valves, meaning the baths can use less chlorine. Three new boilers and two new hot water tanks have recently been installed and new air handling units on poolside and new air conditioning in the gym and studio is set to follow resulting in less energy useage.

Other works include eco blinds for the studio, a complete clean and maintenance of the pool and re-grouting of tiles.

Ms Stones added: “This investment will ensure we can continue to provide services to the community for many years to come.

“This is just the first phase in our plans to invest in the building. We hope to follow this up with a project on a similar scale to update the rest of the Baths.”

Funding comes from Power to Change (£295,000), an independent trust to strengthen community businesses, and £75,000 from Sport England, with the rest via a loan and financial reserves.