Smethwick baths to go under the hammer after vandal attacks leave council with £7,500-a-month security bill

A listed empty swimming baths costing taxpayers £7,500 a month to protect it from vandals is set to go under the hammer. The grade II listed Smethwick Baths, which closed a year ago, is set to be sold by Sandwell Council after a spate of vandal attacks.

The impending sale of Smethwick Baths comes more than a year after Sandwell Council agreed to work on plans by music charity the People’s Orchestra to move into the grade II listed building to create a new music venue and community hub. However, the council fears it is too risky and costly – and instead put the building up for sale.

The art deco baths, which were open for more than 90 years before closing in July 2023, have been “extensively” vandalized with doors, toilets and windows smashed. The baths in Thimblemill Road closed following the public opening of the multi-million-pound Sandwell Aquatics Center a mile away in Londonderry Lane, Smethwick.

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In March 2023, Sandwell Council agreed to work with the People’s Orchestra on creating a new base for the music charity in a move that would see a music venue and community hub created at the former baths. At the same time, the council advertised the listed building in Thimblemill Road over a potential sale.

The People’s Orchestra plans to use the listed building as a music venue and community hub with rehearsals and performances of orchestras, choirs and bands. The hall could also be hired for live music and theatre, event cinema, weddings and banquets, conferences, exhibitions, and sports like wrestling and e-sports. Facilities for dance and music classes, recording music and podcasts and hot desking would also be provided as well as a cinema and coffee shop.

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However, the People’s Orchestra would have to rely on government funding to make the move. Sandwell Council is reluctant to push ahead with the plans as it would still be responsible for the ongoing costs of the building for at least another three years while the bid was prepared – an amount that could balloon to £2.7 million.

On top of that, the People’s Orchestra would only take over part of the building and not gain full control until 2034. The crucial bid for government funding could also be rejected outright – a risk the council says it is unwilling to take.

The council says it has more than 130 ‘assets’ in its property portfolio that are worth around £11m and surplus to requirements and is now looking to sell those off to meet a ‘savings target’ of more than £4m in the next two years . The cabinet report, which outlines the proposed sale of the building, also issues a stark warning about the potential dangers of the building, with the council saying it is also concerned that those breaking into the former baths could be killed if they fell.

“While the physical damage and associated costs are an issue, the main concerns are centered around health and safety aspects, predominantly the risk of potential harm and the likelihood of people injuring themselves, or worse still, a fatality,” the cabinet report said. “The site is split over various levels and a fall from height is a major concern.”

Sandwell Council’s cabinet meets on July 17 to discuss the future of Smethwick Baths.