07 Feb 2020
Newcastle's iconic Turkish baths re-open following £7.5m redevelopment
BY Tom Walker
The iconic City Baths in Newcastle have reopened to the public following a complete restoration.
Leisure operator Fusion Lifestyle has overseen a £7.5m redevelopment of the venue, which has sat closed for six years – since 2013.
Designed and undertaken by Napper Architects and specialist contractor Createability, the restoration project has brought the once-neglected Grade II-listed building back to life – a process which has taken more than three years to complete.
As well as sensitively restoring the historic, 25m swimming pool, the venue includes modern facilities.
A secondary pool has been transformed into a fully equipped gym space, while new fitness studios have been added with a capacity of hosting up to 100 exercise classes every week.
The wet areas also now include a Finnish sauna – in addition to the historic Turkish bathing areas.
The Turkish baths themselves – and a luxury spa – are set to open on-site at a later date, offering a range of treatments.
The City Baths are one of only 11 historic Turkish baths currently in operation across the UK.
“The baths have been enjoyed by generations of locals since they opened in 1928 and are a cultural icon to the residents of the city," said Anthony Cawley, director of operations at Fusion Lifestyle.
“We’ve worked closely with the local authority’s conservation officer to ensure that we have kept works true to the original building design, while also incorporating modern touches to ensure that it meets the demands of today’s customers."
Ian Cotgrave, managing director at Createability, added: “We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved in this renovation.
"We've retained and repaired the Turkish baths and brought them to life – as they would have been nearly 100 years ago.
"There are also plenty of modern additions, such as the gym and the spa, which will allow Fusion to operate it as a modern place for leisure – and prevent it from falling back into disrepair again."
Fusion is introducing a variety of membership options to suit a range of budgets, from a ‘Gym and Swim only’ membership at £30 per month to a ‘Premium Anytime’ scheme at £90 per month.
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