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Jun 2021

Last Updated: 02/06/2021

Community

Calls to reopen Starbeck Baths heat up as restrictions ease

by Connor Creaghan

| 03 Jun, 2021

With temperatures soaring, and schoolchildren on half-term, families in Starbeck are growing increasingly frustrated about the pool's ongoing closure. Harrogate Borough Council has said that, due to the nature of the historic building, it would be difficult to open with coronavirus restrictions in place.

Cllr Philip Broadbank and local resident Chris Watt at Starbeck Baths.

Local residents have called for Starbeck Baths to reopen this month.

With temperatures soaring, and schoolchildren on half-term, many families in the Harrogate district are keen to go swimming. But the Starbeck pool remains closed — and no reopening date has been announced.

Harrogate Borough Council has said that, due to the nature of the historic building, it would be difficult to open with coronavirus restrictions in place.

But with the lifting of restrictions on June 21 approaching, residents believe there should be no further barriers in the way of reopening and want to keep up the pressure.

Staffing may still be an issue for the baths though. The Stray Ferret understands a number of employees have either left or been seconded to new roles.

The reopening debate has raged since last summer but heated up further last month when Ripon Spa Baths re-opened, which is also based in an old building with limited space.

Harrogate Borough Council said Starbeck Baths would open "shortly" after Ripon Spa Baths but there has been no word since on an opening date.

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The ongoing uncertainty is frustrating residents, including Chris Watt, who told the Stray Ferret:

"My little boy, who I used to bring here every Saturday, has been missing his swimming lessons for the last 18 months.

"I think now is exactly the time to be reopening the baths. The council said before that it would reopen in May but here we are in June and we still do not have a date.

"Local residents would be delighted if the baths reopened. It's really well-used and massively valued."

Philip Broadbank, a Liberal Democrat who represents Harrogate Starbeck on Harrogate Borough Council, added:

"I have been lobbying on the issue for the last year. I do not understand why the baths were able to open in Ripon but not here, they have the same layout.

"The council officers tell me they are now waiting for the next government announcement for the next stage in the roadmap. They tell me they want to reopen it as soon as possible."

Stuart Rhodes, a committee member on Starbeck Residents Association, said:

"I am disappointed that the baths are not open yet and so are the school children.

"I understand for Harrogate Borough Council that it is not easy but it is frustrating."

Councillor Stanley Lumley, cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport at Harrogate Borough, said in April:

“We are hoping to open Ripon Pool in May and providing we have got staff availability, very soon after that we will be opening Starbeck.

“Staff shortages are a problem – there was no point recruiting stuff during the pandemic for obvious reasons and now we are on a campaign to recruit.

“We do hope to open the pools as soon as possible… providing nothing changes with government guidelines or we have any serious staffing shortages.”

Last month the council said there were no updates and there have been no announcements since.

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Calls to reopen Starbeck Baths heat up as restrictions ease

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