Former public baths goes up for auction

A former public swimming baths in West Yorkshire has been put on sale, with a guide price of £200,000.

The closed Batley Baths, on the corner of Wellington Street and Cambridge Street, has gone up for auction, with bidding closing on Wednesday.

The Grade II listed 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 shut.

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

The auctioneers said the building, located in a "prominent position" in the town and sold with its car park, "would be suitable for conversion or redevelopment".

Speaking about the leisure centre in 2023, the town's Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said the facility was "at the heart of the community".

"Once again it's the health and wellbeing of people and communities that suffer," said said.

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