JN2053 - Article One: Baths for the arts?

A LOCAL music promoter has called for Ripon’s historic baths to be turned into an arts venue – after a planning application to turn the building into housing was announced by Harrogate Borough Council.

The historic swimming baths, which celebrated a centenary in 2004, are no longer to be for public use and will be transformed into luxury flats to raise capital for the new swimming pool on Camp Hill, which are set to cost £3.1 million.

The 1930s pool has fallen beyond repair and a new pool is needed. However, it will be based alongside the city’s Leisure Centre far from the city centre and built on land, a treasured green space, which was given to the children of Ripon by Alderman Wade many years ago.

‘Save Our Spa’, a local group set up to canvas support to save the building for public use, this week presented a petition signed by over 3,000 residents calling for a full public consultation on the future of the Baths to Harrogate Borough Council.

Dave Moss-Blundell, whose music promotions company DMB Live has recently staged a number of concerts in Ripon, spoke out at the Council’s plans.

He said: “I think it’s atrocious that the Council plans to sell of such a historic building to a property developer.

“The Spa Baths have been part of Ripon for so long and while the pool may be no longer of use, the beautiful building can still play a big part in the lives of the Ripon people of this city.

“It just feels as if the Council is now taking something away from us by turning the Spa Baths into something that isn’t for all our benefit.”

Moss-Blundell is keen for the building to be used for a cultural purpose and after the success of his recent gigs and the promise of up and coming Ripon bands Blue Jupiters and Avocado Affair, believes there is definitely a public willing to take advantage of a purpose built venue.

He said: “I’ve noticed a bit of a buzz in the city this year, things are happening – the development on the west side of the Market Place, for one, will definitely add a lot to the city.”

There has been demand in the past for the Council to provide a much more substantial provision for the arts in Ripon but this has fallen on deaf ears, according to the local promoter.

“People have tried before and the council hasn’t listened, though, so we shall see.

“I’ve been putting on concerts in places not built for them and while we’ve made the most of the venues available to us – Ripon is really lacking somewhere built to stage performances.”

A proposal has surfaced this week to use the Baths for healthcare purposes, as an extension to the near by hospital and talks are reportedly ongoing between the local hospital trusts, councillors and GPs about the future of the site.

Listen to The Guardian's Martin Wainwright's audio report on the baths 'scandal' from when he visited Ripon recently.

Moss-Blundell, however, feels that the art-nouveau architecture of the building would be wasted on a healthcare extension.

He said: “Just have a look at the building, it’s a fantastic piece of architecture and as much as I appreciate the need for an extension to the hospital, I think that the listed part of the building should be used for something cultural and for enjoyment – not to be associated with unfortunate illness!”

Discussions continue.