Lib Dems Welcome Victoria Baths Announcement

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 14th Feb 2007

Lib Dems Pay Tribute to Victoria Baths Trust, as Developer is Chosen At Last

Manchester's Liberal Democrats have welcomed today's announcement that Artisan Ship Canal Developments have won the competition to carry out Phase II of the restoration of Victoria Baths. The historic baths, situated on the borders of Ardwick, Longsight & Rusholme, were closed by the Council in 1993 and the fabric of the building has deteriorated since its closure.

Speaking in support of the decision at this morning's top-level Council Executive Committee meeting, Lib Dem Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Shannon said:

"This is great news for Victoria Baths. At last a developer has been chosen to bring the building back into use. It has taken a long time to get to this stage, and it is people power that has saved the baths."

"Manchester Liberal Democrats would like to pay tribute to the volunteers of the Victoria Baths Trust, without whose hard work this milestone would probably not have been reached. I asked at this morning's committee for the Victoria Baths Trust to be fully involved in playing an ongoing role in the redevelopment and restoration."

Councillor Graham Shaw, Manchester Lib Dem Planning Spokesperson, has also welcomed the announcement:

"Manchester residents can now look forward to a long-overdue redevelopment of this landmark building. The fight to save the baths has received huge public support. When the facilities are re-opened, local residents will expect public access. Manchester Liberal Democrats would like to see publicly-accessible swimming and Turkish baths restored at Victoria Baths. Anything less is not an option."

Meanwhile Phase I of the restoration gets under way this month. This work, costing £4 million, will secure the exterior fabric of the building, repairing the roof, brickwork, & clock tower as well as restoration of the stained glass and brick re-pointing.

Notes to Editors

The funding partners for Phase I include the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) English Heritage (EH), Manchester City Council and the Restoration Fund.

Victoria Baths Trust

Victoria Baths is a beautiful, well-loved building of which the people of Manchester are proud. The Victoria Baths Trust aims to fully restore the building and re-open at least one of the swimming pools, and the Turkish Baths, for public use.

Manchester City Council

As owner of the Victoria Baths, Manchester City Council is working with its partners to preserve and restore as much of the fabric of Victoria Baths as possible, as identified in the Conservation Plan. The City Council is keen to allow as much public access to the building as possible and will ensure that its future use is sustainable. Victoria Baths will enhance the economic, social and environmental structure of the area in accord with Manchester's community strategy.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has supported all three of BBC Two's Restoration series, awarding £7.4million in total to the winning buildings. No fewer than 36 buildings that were featured in the programmes have developed their plans and won HLF funding to make them a reality. In total, this means an additional £40million has been allocated by HLF to other wonderful Restoration projects. For further information, please go to www.hlf.org.uk.

English Heritage (EH) English Heritage has offered specialist advice and financial support to the Victoria Baths Trust for many years to help them find a long-term solution and sustainable new uses to secure the future of the magnificent baths. We will continue to do all we can to help the Trust and Manchester City Council achieve this objective, something that is sustainable.

Artisan Ship Canal Developments (ASCD) is a joint venture between Artisan and Manchester Ship Canal Developments, (which comprises Peel Holdings and Manchester City Council). ASCD is an active developer currently creating a new community in one of Manchester's most historic districts. The Eastside Valley site is the gateway to New East Manchester and pivotal to the successful regeneration of the area. Work on the £100m sustainable mixed-use scheme began in 2004 and will deliver 600+ homes, offices, shops and new public spaces.