Councillors in Ripon are hoping to meet soon with Harrogate Borough Council’s preferred bidder for the city’s Spa Baths.
The future of the Grade II listed building has been uncertain since owner Harrogate Borough Council put it on the market in February, saying it would be surplus to requirements when Ripon’s new multi-million swimming pool opens.
This sparked fears the 116-year-old baths could be sold for housing.
The campaign to retain it for community use, led by Ripon City Council and Ripon Civic Society, received a boost this month when the building was designated an asset of community value.
This gives communities a right to bid to buy the building before it is sold on the open market.
The identity of Harrogate Borough Council’s preferred bidder is being kept under wraps due to commercial confidentiality but city council leader Andrew Williams said he was looking forward to constructive discussions.
Replacing Spa Baths: Ripon’s new swimming pool, which will open this year.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“We met with the borough council last week following our successful application to have the baths listed as an asset of community value.”
“At that meeting, we were told that the preferred bidder intends to include an element of community use as part of wider redevelopment of the site.
“We are keen to find out what that community use would be and if there is a way forward that is acceptable to all involved.”
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The 116-year-old building was converted from a spa to a public swimming pool in 1936 and has the distinction of being the only English spa to be opened by a member of the royal family.
A civic society plaque near the entrance records the fact that Princess Henry of Battenburg performed the opening ceremony in 1905.