CAMPAIGNERS calling for the continuation of Carlisle’s Turkish Baths are set to ask the city council what investigations have been made into the cost of mothballing the facility, as its future remains up in the air.

Carlisle is home to a historic Victorian and Turkish Baths facility on James Street which currently looks set to close in October when the adjacent swimming pools are demolished.

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The 1970s pools building will be knocked-down to make way for the expansion of Carlisle’s railway station as part of a Borderlands funded regeneration project.

At this point, GLL staff will transfer to the newly refurbished Sands Centre, the new home of swimming provision in Carlisle.

Prior to Her Majesty The Queen’s death, a meeting of the full council was set to take place on Tuesday with questions from The Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths on the agenda.

A member of the group was set to tell the council chamber: “Unless the Executive approve budget to keep the Turkish Baths open they will close when GLL cease to be responsible for the James Street Baths in October. 

“Historic England Guidelines on Managing Risks in Vacant Historic Buildings, requires that prior to mothballing the Turkish Baths, the Council should undertake an 'investment appraisal' to take account of the costs, risks and legal responsibilities arising from leaving a building unmaintained and unsecured.

Campaigners would have asked: “Has the City Council undertaken an investment appraisal of the Turkish Baths?”

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As September looms, the group are calling for clarity on the fate of the baths and the cost of the work to mothball the Grade II Listed facility if it is to close during works at James Street.

The group recently attended a meeting of Carlisle City Council’s People Panel and were told by the deputy chief executive that work to understand the costs of mothballing was underway.

Julie Minns, campaign chairman said: “Our hope remains that in the next four weeks an announcement will be made that the baths won’t be closing.”

But Ms Minns said if the baths are to close, “our expectation would be that piece of work was complete, will be made public and shared with councillors.

“There’s been little detail on the cost of closing it up. We wouldn’t want a Grade II Listed building not to have been properly appraised.

“We really hope it doesn’t come to that but there are only four weeks left.”

They hope that their questions will remain on the agenda for the rescheduled full council meeting.

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