A CAMPAIGN to save Carlisle's historic Turkish Baths marks its second anniversary this week. 

And to celebrate, they will be joining other community groups at this weekend's Carlisle Culture Bazaar. 

The campaign began on April 21 in 2021, after the then City Council commissioned a feasibility study to look at repurposing the Grade II listed baths. 

The campaign, led by the Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths, quickly gathered support with thousands of people signing an online petition backing a Vision that would see the Baths developed into a Centre for Health and Wellbeing.

Commenting on two years of campaigning, chair of the charity, Julie Minns said: "Little did we know two years ago how our campaign would capture the imagination and support from people not just in Carlisle, but across Cumbria and the wider country. 

"We have even had messages of support from America and Australia, and

met tourists who had come to Carlisle just to visit the Baths. 

"It's been an incredible, and extremely busy two years and we've got big plans for the next couple of years as we move forward with our proposals for a community asset transfer of the building," she said. 

Carlisle's Turkish Baths opened in 1909 as part of the Victorian Public Baths that have stood on James Street since 1884.

The Turkish Baths are one of only twelve original Baths still in working order, and are the last in the Northwest of England.

The Turkish Baths have been closed to the public since November after councillors of the former Carlisle City Council voted to close the Baths. 

Stephen Yeates, secretary of the Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths, said: "Obviously we are concerned about the condition of the interior, but we have been somewhat reassured that since the city council ceased to be responsible for the building, significant security and protection has been put in place. 

"We are also optimistic that discussions about a community asset transfer can begin now that the Cumberland Council is up and running.

"Agreeing a community asset transfer will unlock opportunities for our charity to secure further funding for the next stage of our study, and take us a step closer to reopening the baths," he said.