Glimmer of hope in battle for baths

Campaigners battling to save Coseley Baths from demolition have been given a new glimmer of hope after senior councillors confirmed they would still be willing to talk to anyone willing to take over the site.

Dudley Council's Cabinet last night approved moves to find external funds to cover the £450,000 costs of demolishing the building and preparing the land to be sold.

Cash raised from the sale of the site will be used to make up any shortfall on the demolition costs.

But while the scheme was agreed by the Cabinet opposition members refused to support the bid and said they were "disgusted" the swimming pool had been closed.

Councillor Gaye Partridge said at a recent meeting of the regeneration committee it had been a suggested a consortium may be willing to take on the site.

And council leader Councillor Anne Millward said the council would be "more than willing" to talk to anyone interested in taking over the site.

"If there is anyone who has the money to take over the land and restore the building there is certainly still an opportunity for discussion to take place," she said.

"My only concern is why they have left it so late to come forward if they have had the resources to do this.

"However we would be willing to hear of any offers if the capital is there."

Councillor Partridge said she would go back to the campaigners and those interested and tell them of the opportunity.

"We will then have to see what happens," she said.

Deputy leader Councillor Les Jones said he personally did not think anything would come of it.

"In the next 18 months a large leisure centre development is to be built less than two miles away from the site," he said.

"Anyone taking over the baths building will need £2 million right away to get the site into a safe condition. This is before there can be any improvements.

"By the time this happens it will be in direct competition with the new centre. While we are willing to hold talks I cannot see anything happening to be honest."

The new centre is being built in Bilston by Wolverhampton City Council.

Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for leisure, reaffirmed the site had been closed on health and safety grounds.

Coseley Baths closed on Bank Holiday Monday despite a long-running battle by campaigners to keep it open.

Members of Brierley Hill and Coseley Swimming Clubs were forced to fold because of the move. Labour councillors last night said the move had been a devastating blow for the community.

Brierley Hill Swimming Club had moved to the site after the closure of Brierley Hill's swimming pool a few years ago.