Arts group takes on lease of historic Bristol baths

A community arts group has secured a 35-year lease for a historic Bristol building following a campaign to save it. 

The BBC reports that Jacob's Wells Baths in Hotwells, Bristol, opened in 1889 when it was used as a bathhouse for the poor, but closed in the late 1970s.

Trinity Community Arts has now agreed a 35-year guardianship lease for the building after plans to turn it back into a public pool were abandoned earlier this year due to the pandemic and rising costs.

The group, which runs an arts, performance and music venue in the city hopes to turn the building into a community hub.

It said the agreement "marks the first step in the preservation and restoration of the building".

Rachel McNally, Chair of Hotwells and Cliftonwood Community Association said: "We are delighted that the council listened to local people and everyone who campaigned to save Jacob's Wells Baths for community use.

"We can't wait to fill Jacob's Wells Baths with people, art, performance, music, laughter and friendship for years to come."