Council sells former public swimming pool and gym

A council-owned former swimming pool and sports centre has sold for £318,000 at auction.

Batley Baths, on the corner of Wellington Street and Cambridge Street, fetched more than its £200,000 asking price, though the identity of the successful bidder remains a mystery.

In December cash-strapped Kirklees Council voted to sell the Grade II-listed building, which has been closed since 2023, as part of cost-saving measures.

Councillor Cathy Scott, who represents Dewsbury East, said the building's closure and sale as a public asset was a "great loss for Batley".

"It's a facility that was well-used," said Scott, who described the sale price as "a small, miniscule amount".

"We could have got it up and running again," she added.

According to council officers, the building had a £1.5m maintenance backlog as of January 2024.

A report to councillors ahead of last month's decision said two organisations had expressed an interest in taking over the facility through a Community Asset Transfer since its closure.

However, "given the complexity of the asset and significant investment needed, both applicants subsequently withdrew from the process", it said.

The site was "now moving into a state of disrepair", the report added.

The three-storey building, which dates back to 1893, was shut temporarily in December 2022, with site operator Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) blaming high energy costs.

The following year, KAL announced it would permanently close.

The facility includes a 23m (75ft) swimming pool, sports hall, fitness studio, sauna and steam room, offices, and changing and toilet facilities, Pugh Auctions said.

The BBC has contacted the auction house to try and confirm the identity of the buyer and their plans following the sale on Wednesday.

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