Two choices for Haggerston Baths’ future – but pool hopes vanish down plughole

Main entrance to Haggerston Baths. Photograph: Hackney Council

Main entrance to Haggerston Baths. Photograph: Hackney Council

Two plans competing to revamp the Grade II-listed Haggerston Baths include a “micro hotel” and a shopping centre, but the council wants to hear from residents before it picks one.

Despite a hard-fought campaign to restore the swimming pool to its former glory, the council announced last December that negotiations had broken down with a developer whose scheme included a pool.

The remaining contenders both want to turn the historic building into commercial space.

Castle Forge says its proposal to use the site for community interaction “remains respectful to the key heritage elements of the original”.

Community hub: artist’s impression of Castle Forge’s plans. Image: Castle Forge Partners

The scheme, which is described as a “unique destination hub”, includes cafés, shops and “pop ups”.

London and Regional wants the site to play host to “young business along with established innovators”, with plans for a “micro hotel” and shared workspaces. It will also “revitalise the Pool Hall as a new social event space”.

Event space: artist’s sketch of London and Regional’s proposal. Image: London and Regional

Both parties will attend a question and answer session with locals, and they will have a chance to modify their proposals before the council makes its final judgement.

Hackney’s mayor Philip Glanville urged people to voice their concerns, saying: “The aim of this project is to identify a long-term and self-sustaining future for the building.

“I know that local residents were keen to restore the swimming pool, so the council spent the best part of a year negotiating with a developer whose proposals included a pool. Unfortunately we could not get the reassurances we needed that the scheme proposed would actually be delivered.

“I hope Hackney residents, especially those passionate about the pool, complete the consultation, attend the drop in sessions or come to the Q&A on 12 April to find out more. We genuinely want to hear from residents about what they think as it will help the developers shape their final proposals before we decide what to do next.”

The chosen developer will sign a 250-year lease, paying rent to the council, and fork out an estimated £20 million to refurbish the building. It means the Town Hall will retain ownership of the site, which it says it could not afford to renovate itself.

Residents can discuss the plans with the two developers at a panel chaired by Mayor Glanville on 12 April. It will start at 6.30pm at Centre 151 on Whiston Road. Online surveys are also available for those who cannot make the event.

To find out more about the consultation and have a look at the options, visit the council’s website here.

6 Comments

  1. Angela Ferrion on Monday 13 March 2017 at 22:18

    Camden Council managed to retain its swimming pool in Kentish Town perhaps Hackney Council can investigate what they did before jumping the gun.



  2. Mel on Tuesday 14 March 2017 at 15:03

    “remains respectful to the key heritage elements of the original”

    by turning it from a low cost accessible source of fun and exercise for local people into a place to spend large amounts of money only for those that have it…what exactly are these key elements ???



  3. Philip Poole on Friday 17 March 2017 at 07:37

    With previous swimming pool development challenges in the borough in,past times then reassurances re the pool’s sustainability would have to be a key factor in any plan. These proposals will not suit the campaigning members of the local community but do offer a way forward. I personally always liked the notion of a community hub, surgery based. The Shoreditch Hopper largely did away with the need for that. Hopefully these proposals will bear fruit as the building is suffering.



  4. John Ryan on Tuesday 11 April 2017 at 09:20

    Absolute disgrace and an affront to the people who built it.



  5. Trevor Boardman on Saturday 29 April 2017 at 06:51

    I really feel sorry for my son who lives opposite this site. It will be 3/4 years of complete chaos and noise during the work. Were are all the contractors going to park etc.



  6. Amanda on Tuesday 2 May 2017 at 20:50

    Very sorry to hear this sad news.



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