THE THREAT of a September closure remains for Carlisle’s Turkish Baths despite an eleventh hour bid from campaigners at a meeting of the city council, but the authority’s leader assured the public he is keen for the historic asset to have a future.

Friends of Carlisle’s Victorian and Turkish Baths attended the Civic Centre on Tuesday, daubed in bathrobes and shower caps, they lobbied the city council to save their beloved heritage asset.

The Turkish Health Suite on James Street is currently set to close in September when the adjacent 1970s pool building is demolished, facilitating the expansion of Carlisle’s railway station.

Once the redevelopment of Carlisle’s Sands Centre is complete, the venue will become the new home of the city’s swimming provision, leaving the baths without an operator.

Leader of the campaign group, Julie Minns spoke at the meeting calling on the council to give certainty on the fate of Carlisle’s Turkish Baths.

She said: “It is now clear that the long-term future of the baths will be decided by Cumberland Council and we aim to inform their decision with our viability study on developing James Street Baths as a centre for health and wellbeing.”

“But there is one decision the new authority cannot take, and that is to keep the Turkish Baths open after the new pools become operational.”

In response to the group’s recommendations, the city council leadership proposed a number of recommendations which were agreed by members cross-party.

The recommendations include that GLL continues to work with campaigners on interior refurbishments to the baths; that city council covers utility costs after GLL staff leave and that progress on the railway station redevelopment is monitored.

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If there are any delays to the train station development, the council will work with the friends to consider if the Turkish Baths can continue operating in the meantime.

Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder Stephen Higgs told the council that more detail is needed on the Cumbria County Council led refurbishment works at Carlisle Railway Station before the city can know more about the baths’ future.

Opposition groups put pressure on the leadership to commit to the future of the baths, Labour’s Ruth Alcroft said “I appreciate there must be caveats to this, we can never fully know what will happen, however, you are the executive. I would like to see fewer ‘if, if, ifs’ and more ‘we will.’”

But leader of the city council John Mallinson said: “It is a Grade I Listed building, the building will be remaining there. If there is a will and a way to keep the Turkish baths operating, then fine, I would be really delighted.”

Following the meeting, Ms Minns said that the executive’s comments were promising but: “If Councillor Higgs isn’t clear on the extent of the work required relating to the Station Gateway Project, convene a meeting and get the answers city council need in order to keep this important facility open for the people of Carlisle.”

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