News / Jacob's Wells Baths
Emergency repairs start at Jacob’s Wells Baths
Emergency repairs are taking place at Jacob’s Wells Baths to stop further deterioration of the building and allow important surveys to be carried out
The work – funded by a grant of £56,895 from Historic England – comes ahead of phased repairs planned for later in 2024 ahead of the ambition to bring back the former swimming pool into use in 2025 as a home for dance and community activity.
Built in 1889 to serve the working poor, Jacob’s Wells Baths is a Grade II listed building on Jacob’s Wells Road in Hotwells comprising a central swimming pool, lantern roof, side blocks, boiler house and large chimney.
is needed now More than ever
The pool survives beneath a sprung wooden floor dating to the building’s conversion to a dance studio in the early 1980s.
Water for the baths came from the nearby Jacob’s Well spring and was heated in the boiler house, whose elegant cast iron columns support a vast water tank above.
Corinne Fitzpatrick, conservation architect for the Save Jacob’s Wells Baths project and Juliette Butler, heritage at risk project officer at Historic England, inspect Jacob’s Wells Baths at the start of emergency repairs – photo: Kolab Studios / Alastair Brookes
Corinne Fitzpatrick, conservation architect for the Saving Jacob’s Wells project, said: “Historic England’s grant comes at a critical time for the building, enabling us to undertake remedial works before starting the main repairs.
“This emergency phase will prevent any further damage that may increase costs to future phases, and gives us the opportunity to carry out further investigations of the external fabric at height to give us greater cost certainty as we enter the main works phase.
“This is a great way to start such a major project and lay the foundations for the next planned steps.”
South West regional director at Historic England, Rebecca Barrett, added: “We’re pleased to be one of many partners working to give Jacob’s Wells Baths a bright new future.
“By halting further damage to the building and getting important surveys done now, we hope our investment will give the project the best possible start.”
Jacob’s Wells Baths was built in 1889 to serve the working poor – photo: Sam Prosser
Jacob’s Wells Baths faced an uncertain future until Trinity Community Arts and the Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association launched a joint campaign to save the space and reinstate it as a community arts hub.
To support the appeal to save Jacob’s Wells Baths, visit www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/jacobs-wells-baths
Main photo: Kolab Studios / Alastair Brookes
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