Carlisle's historic Turkish Baths to be run by community

Members of Cumberland Council's executive committee voted in favour of the community asset transfer for the former Turkish Baths in James Street to The Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths group at a meeting at Allerdale House in Workington on Tuesday (September 17).

They agreed there should be 25-year rolling lease for the building and they delegated the decision to agree the final terms of the lease to the council's director of resources subject to an approved business case from the group.

Carlisle's historic Turkish Baths (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking during the meeting councillor Barbara Cannon (St Michaels, Labour), the portfolio holder for financial planning and assets), said she was pleased to recommend the asset transfer and added: "The Turkish Baths have been a feature of Carlisle for over 100 years."

She said that the listed building was also an important part of the city's cultural heritage and added: "As we all know we are facing a difficult financial position."

Cllr Cannon said it was an opportunity for the community group, but they would need to access other funding to run the facility, but the group would have the council's support. She said: "There's still a lot of work to be done."

Councillor Mark Fryer (St Johns and Great Clifton, Labour) the leader of the council, said: "We wish them luck because it is very, very difficult to get funding. We've got to give them as much help as we can."

According to the report the Turkish Baths have been a feature in Carlisle since Victorian times and plans for the provision of Turkish baths in Carlisle occurred as early as 1884 when the existing public swimming baths were opened.

The report adds: "The idea was resurrected in 1901 and agreed in 1902 although it was a further six years before plans were finally approved.

"The Turkish Baths opened on the September 20, 1909, in a purpose-built extension to the existing public baths building at a cost of £2500.

"The internal tiling and glazed faience work was undertaken by Minton and Hollins Company of Stoke, one of the leaders in the field of tile manufacture."

The building was given a Grade II listed status in 2010. The report adds: "The baths were managed by Carlisle Corporation and subsequently Carlisle City Council prior to the formation of the new unitary authority, Cumberland Council, in April 2023.

"The baths were added to in the 1970s to provide a large gala sized pool and fitness suite on the adjacent site. The 1970s buildings have recently been demolished leaving behind the listed Turkish Baths.

"A significant level of public funding is being invested in projects around Carlisle city centre, to maximise the area’s potential, attract and retain more people at the heart of the city and ensure that Carlisle reaches its potential as the hub of the Borderlands area.

"The redevelopment of Carlisle Station Gateway and Citadels are key projects within the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, designed to enhance the area and increase footfall.

"The new southern station gateway entrance will provide significantly improved access to the station and include the creation of a new pedestrian square.

"The single most prominent building situated opposite the new station entrance and on the other side of the pedestrian square will be the Grade II listed Victorian and Turkish Baths on James Street."

The building closed closed in 2022 after 113 years. The report states: "It was the only such facility left in the north west and one of only 12 nationally.

"The loss of access to these important buildings and facility were significant for the people of Carlisle, the north west region and indeed nationally, as recognised by the Victorian Society in 2023."

Carlisle's new Labour MP, Julie Minns, led the Friends of Carlisle’s Victorian and Turkish Baths campaign to secure a positive future for the facility on James Street.