Historic baths in Leeds get a £500,000 eco make-over

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 will replace the existing ageing machinery and hopes it will reduce to ‘practically zero’ the number of pool closures at the community led venture due to technical problems.

The £500,000 worth of funding will provide 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 will include eco blinds for the studi and 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.”

The funding has come from a number of sources including £295,000 from Power to Change, an independent trust whose funding is used to strengthen community businesses, £75,000 from Sport England with the rest coming from a loan and The Baths’ financial reserves.

Bramley Baths dates back to 1904. It has been a community-led social enterprise since taking over the running of the Broad Lane facility from Leeds City Council in 2013.

An AGM last month revealed the business had a16 per cent sales growth during the last financial year, and an increased turnover of £608,000.

Bramley Baths chairman John Battle said extra staff will be employed to support the works. He added: “This is fabulous news for the people of Bramley and beyond. Not only will we be lowering our eco footprint and making a difference to the environment, we’ll be helping secure the Baths for future generations."