Historic spa baths to become luxury apartments

Historic spa baths are to be redeveloped into luxury apartments, commercial units and a publicly accessible open courtyard in a scheme costing more than £2m.

The Grade II-listed Ripon Spa Baths opened in 1905 and closed three years ago when the town's swimming pool was replaced by the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre.

According to North Yorkshire Council, the property has been bought by Sterne Properties, which is run by a local family.

Managing director Robert Sterne said the company specialised in “rejuvenating and repurposing redundant and semi-derelict buildings” in Ripon.

He said: “We want to roll the clock back to when the spa baths were built - the original facade will be restored so it looks just as it was intended to look in the early 1900s.

“By opening up the south elevation and creating a rear courtyard the spa baths will once again work as it was originally designed.

“For example, natural light will flood the pump room through the stunning stained glass panels. This is something that hasn’t been seen since the 1930s.”

The complex was originally opened to take advantage of nearby Harrogate’s success as a spa town.

The water was pumped four miles from Aldfield with customers served from a basin in the entrance hall.

The swimming pool was added in the 1930s at the edge of the Spa Gardens, which are owned and maintained by the council.

Sterne Properties has commissioned architect Andrew Burningham to restore the building and retain its original Edwardian frontage.

North Yorkshire Council said as much original material as possible would be salvaged and reused.

Council deputy leader Gareth Dadd said Sterne Properties was selected as the council's preferred purchaser because of its “positive plans for the future of the site”.

He said: “Ripon's Spa Baths were the last of their kind to open in England and we wanted to be sure this listed building was preserved for the city.

“Robert Sterne and his team have very exciting plans for the building, which fits into our focus on the regeneration of our town and city centres and the repurposing of buildings.

“It will breathe new life into this historic building and into this area of the city as it brings new people into its hospitality units.

"I am looking forward to seeing the scheme come to fruition.”

The site was listed as an Asset of Community Value, which triggered a moratorium period when any bids from community groups to take it on could be submitted. As none were received, it was then able to be sold on the open market.

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