Concerns have been raised for the future of the historic Jacob's Wells Baths building after a leisure group "withdrew" from a project to restore it as a pool and leisure centre. Neighbours are now working to secure it as a vibrant central hub for the Hotwells community.
There were plans to convert the Grade II listed building into a leisure centre and reinstate an indoor pool by Fusion, which took it over in 2018 as part of a community asset transfer. It came after Bristol City Council invited expressions of interest from not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises to take over its management in 2017.
But the impact of the pandemic on the leisure market and a sharp increase in costs has seen these being shelved, and Fusion has expressed regret at being unable to implement the conversion. While the council says it still intends for it to be restored and "brought back into active use for the benefit of Bristol", some members of the community are worried it could be sold for development instead.
