Moving Forward

Following a few turbulent weeks, where the Spa felt more under threat than ever before, it was with some trepidation that we arrived at the Town Hall tonight for our second meeting with Councillor Paul Wood. Also in attendance were Councillors Denise Fox, Bryan Lodge, Karen McGowan and Star Reporter Molly Williams.

It is fair to say the tone had altered considerably since our last meeting. The 10th August deadline has now been removed and we will receive a letter that will hopefully allow us to apply for funding. There will be an independent survey done of the building to assess the true cost of repairs and prioritise them accordingly. Councillor Wood will look into potential ways that the council could fund or match fund these repairs. Although this is great news, it does leave the possibility of the hall becoming residential or office space, on the table.

To remove those options completely we would need to find funding ourselves. To that end we have approached a community enterprise development group and are to schedule a meeting with them hopefully in the next week. We have submitted an application to Prosper North who provide mentoring for cultural heritage organisations with the opportunity to access the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund. We have also received a generous offer of financial assistance from a local businessman who is keen to see the Spa remain as a community building.

There is a determination on both sides that Birley Spa will be restored. The results of the building survey could play a huge part in which way the outcome goes.

Further updates will be given as we get them. Thank you for all your support, we couldn't have got this far without you!

P.S. We also have the go ahead for our Heritage Open Days!
​https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/birley-spa-bath-house-history-talk-and-tour