CUMBERLAND Council has said it ‘remains committed to’ Carlisle’s Turkish Baths after a period of uncertainty for the historic building.

The building was this week listed on the top 10 most endangered buildings list by the Victorian Society having been closed by the former Carlisle City Council last autumn and with the site has sitting empty ever since.

Carlisle Baths and Washhouse opened in 1884 providing first and second-class plunge pools, a ladies plunge pool, slipper baths and laundry facilities.

The Turkish Baths were added in 1909 and a ladies' waiting room and slipper baths opened in 1920.

Records show that by 1957 over 100,000 people were using the baths. The lavishly-tiled Turkish Baths have original internal decorative tiling and glazed faience work by the renowned company Minton and Hollins of Stoke.

The Victorian Society has urged Cumberland Council, who now own the baths after the dissolution of Carlisle City Council, to work with the active Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths to keep these baths in use “for another 138 years.”

The council have said that they are ‘committed to finding a viable solution’ for the Turkish Baths

A council spokesperson said: "Cumberland Council recognises the historic significance of the Turkish Baths building in Carlisle and its listed status.

"We remain committed to finding a viable solution that will not only protect the building, but also provide it with a sustainable future."

The Turkish Baths were, until November 2022, one of only 12 such baths in the country still in operation and the only one in the North West.

The President of the Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths, Julie Minns said that discussions had begun about the process of a community asset transfer of the baths from the council to the friends.

“The city council didn't progress the discussion on a community asset transfer last year as we would've hoped.

"So our having it on the top 10 endangered list gives us a chance for ourselves and Cumberland to move forward with that discussion on a community asset transfer,” said Julie.