Popular Wirral baths could re-open

Sep 1 2010 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

A WIRRAL swimming pool which closed suddenly last year is moving a step closer to reopening.

This week the council’s ruling cabinet is expected to approve plans which should lead to a group of local businessmen taking over Byrne Avenue Baths in New Ferry.

Byrne Avenue Community Trust (BACT) has been negotiating with the local authority since last year, preparing documentation on the plans.

Members hope to raise some £750,000 to carry out repairs to the baths, although one of those leading the bid, John Fenna, said the structure of the building is fine and most works needed are inside.

Mr Fenna said the process had been frustrating but he remains determined to see it through as he believes there is a strong demand: “After 18 months, I’m not going to give up now. There will be nothing better than when we can stand there and cut the ribbon and say to the local community now you can have your baths back.”

A report to Wirral Council’s cabinet outlines four options for the Byrne Avenue Baths site, which include selling it for social housing, sale of the building on the open market, demolishing the building and selling the land, or continuing with the transfer to BACT.

The report recommends the cabinet give BACT more time to prepare more detailed documentation to allow the transfer process to continue.

In February 2009 the popular swimming baths – due to celebrate its 75th anniversary – suddenly shut after going into compulsory liquidation.

Parents bringing their children to the swimming baths, in New Ferry, instead found a notice on the door from its directors saying the centre had closed down.

Staff were left shocked by the sudden decision which had been made at short notice, and the note said there were “insufficient funds” to keep the baths open.

The council again became responsible for the building, and a report to cabinet said: “The annual costs being incurred by the council in retaining this vacant building in empty business rates electricity, insurance, rental of temporary fencing around the pool, security and boarding up is approximately £23,000.”

Mr Fenna said he hoped that if the transfer now goes through, they would have the baths up and running “probably 12 months after we get the keys to the door”.

It is expected a further report will be brought to cabinet in November with further details on how the transfer is progressing.