Public Library and Baths, Balsall Heath
| Public Library and Baths, Balsall Heath | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Alternative names | Moseley Road Baths |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Architectural style | Edwardian |
| Location | Balsall Heath |
| Town or city | Birmingham |
| Country | England |
| Opened | 1895 (library) 1907 (baths) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect |
Jethro A. Cossins and F. B. Peacock (library) William Hale and Son (baths) |
| Designations | Grade II* listed |
| Website | |
| moseleyroadbaths |
|
The Public Library and Baths (grid reference SP078843) on Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, form one of many pairings of baths and libraries in Birmingham, England.
The library was opened in 1895, with the baths following in 1907. Made of red brick and terracotta in Edwardian style, the structure is one of only three swimming pools in the country listed at Grade II* status.
The buildings are currently managed by Birmingham City Council, however, the council has announced plans to close the baths in June 2017.
During discussions in 1890 to absorb the Balsall Heath district into the city of Birmingham, it was decided that public baths should be built as soon as possible for the area if Birmingham was to acquire the district. A bill was passed and Balsall Heath was annexed into Birmingham on 1 October 1891. The City of Birmingham Baths Department was then instructed to find an appropriate site for the construction of public baths in the area.
Working in conjunction with the Free Libraries Committee (a library had also been promised to the residents of Balsall Heath as part of the arrangement which absorbed their district into Birmingham) the Baths Department soon located a site on Moseley Road close to the junction with Edward Road. A small cartway known as Midland Grove ran behind the site and the access this offered for the delivery of coal to the rear of the building was a key factor in the decision to choose this particular site.
The Free Library opened in 1895 and has a clock tower. It was designed by Jethro A. Cossins and F. B. Peacock. The baths were added immediately to the south and were opened on 30 October 1907, much later than planned owing to severe delays experienced in boring a well on the premises. They were designed by William Hale and Son of 83, Colmore Row, and cost almost £34,000. As was common practice at the time, there were separate entrances for first-class males, second-class males, and women.
Initially, only the 'slipper' bath departments were opened, with the pools coming into operation on 1 March 1908, the start of the municipal swimming season. On 21 November 1908, the first-class pool was floored over and the space subsequently used for social activities. It was one of several public baths to begin these activities in the winter months as there was little demand for the pools during this time of year.
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Wikipedia