Vandal-hit swimming baths to be sold

Empty swimming baths which have cost £7,500 a month to protect from vandals are to be sold by the local authority which owns them.

The Grade II listed Smethwick Baths, which closed in July 2023, have suffered from a spate of vandal attacks.

Sandwell Council had considered plans to create a new music and community venue, working with the People's Orchestra, a music charity, but decided it would be too costly.

The art deco baths on Thimblemill Road had been open for more than 90 years.

They closed following the public opening of the multi-million-pound Sandwell Aquatics Centre a mile away in Londonderry Lane, Smethwick.

The council started to work with the People's Orchestra in March, but the plans would have relied on government funding and the authority was unwilling to pay for the upkeep of the building while that bid was prepared.

It estimated the cost of looking after the building could be as high as £2.7m.

On top of that, the People’s Orchestra would only take over part of the building and not gain full control until 2034. 

The council said it had more than 130 assets in its property portfolio that were worth around £11m and were surplus to requirements.

A report to its cabinet also warned that people trespassing inside the empty building were at risk of serious injury or death.

“The site is split over various levels and a fall from height is a major concern," it said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.