New health centre near Birmingham as historic swimming baths transformed
An iconic swimming baths is set to make a splash as a revamped health centre.
The Grade II listed Smethwick Baths, which shut its doors two years ago, has been snapped up by a local healthcare firm, aiming to breathe new life into the historic edifice.
Sandwell Council offloaded the building to Norvic Family Practice this April, following through on a decision made last year by the Labour-led cabinet.
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The Smethwick-based GPs, who already manage Victoria Health Centre on Suffrage Street and Norman Road Surgery in the town, believe the move will enable them to ramp up their appointment offerings.
Dr Amandeep Suthi of Norvic Family Practice shared: "We are excited to announce these proposals for the historic Thimblemill Baths building, which we know is much-loved by the local community.
"We are working with architects to design a sympathetic conversion of this grade II listed building to restore it for public use, and we will provide more details as soon as we can.
"We have run out of clinical rooms at our current site in Norman Road so we can't offer any more appointments than we already do. By moving to new premises, we will be able to offer more appointments in the future."
However, the transformation of the building into a state-of-the-art health centre is still pending planning approval from the council.
The art deco baths, which had been a community staple for over nine decades until its closure in July last year, have suffered extensive vandalism since, with smashed doors, toilets, and windows, costing taxpayers an additional £7,500 per month for increased security measures.
Sandwell Council has stated that the responsibility for maintaining the security of the former baths now lies with the new owner.
The Thimblemill Road baths were closed following the public unveiling of the multi-million-pound Sandwell Aquatics Centre, located just a mile away on Londonderry Lane.
Despite initially agreeing to collaborate with music charity, the People's Orchestra, on plans to transform the grade II listed building into a new music venue and community hub, the council later expressed reluctance due to concerns over potential risks and high costs.
The council currently holds more than 130 'assets' in its property portfolio, valued at approximately £11m, which are deemed surplus to requirements. It is now planning to sell these off in order to achieve a 'savings target' of over £4m within the next two years.
Earlier this year, Cllr Peter Hughes, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure, confessed that 'no planning' had been undertaken regarding the future of the baths, despite having agreed to its closure seven years prior.
The council also disclosed its intention to sell the building as part of an effort to save £840,000.
In 2018, Sandwell Council's cabinet officially decided that Smethwick Baths would close after the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with the newly constructed Sandwell Aquatics Centre set to open to the public in 2023.
Sandwell Council revealed it had amassed over 130 'assets' worth roughly £11m that exceeded its needs, and now the Black Country authority is planning to offload these properties in order to meet a 'savings target' of above £4m within two years.
Cllr Hughes commented: "The council has worked hard to secure a positive future for this landmark building in Smethwick.
"I am delighted the sale is now complete – and I look forward to seeing the detailed design proposals for a conversion that promises to both preserve the building and benefit people's health and wellbeing for many years to come."
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