| Project Id |
3311 |
| Project Name |
Victoria Baths, UK |
| Description |
The Victoria Baths building was opened in 1906 as "the most splendid municipal bathing institution in the country" and "a water palace of which every citizen of Manchester can be proud". In the 1980s the running costs were becoming significant and the backlog of repairs were growing. In 1993 the difficult decision was taken to close the Baths for good. The same year, the local community (which had rallied Manchester´s Council in an attempt to keep the Baths open) came together to form the Friends of Victoria Baths, a heritage community formed whilst campaigning to save the building for future generations. In 2001 the Council entered into a formal management agreement with the heritage community, forming the so-called Victoria Baths Trust (or the Trust) to improve security and raise grants for repairs. The complex is now a vibrant arts and cultural centre in the heart of the local community – a local, regional and national asset attracting major events throughout the year. |
| Description of the economic, social and environmental impacts of the project |
The Victoria Baths is a successful example of a partnership asset in the form of the so-called Trust, where the Council does not need to be the sole custodian of the heritage asset. The heritage community is willing to act as a partner on an equal or even ‘leading’ basis to manage and operate the asset showing a high degree of autonomy as well as self-sustainability, whilst the Council provides support, direction and specialist advice to ensure the historic building is both well retained and put to productive use. |
| Web links |
http://www.victoriabaths.org.uk/ |
| Country |
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| City size |
Intermediate cities (between 50.000-1 million people) |
