Work to regenerate the former
Erdington Baths into a community and enterprise hub is expected to begin later
this year.
The £4 million project will
see the century-old building sensitively restored and renovated with a focus on
supporting entrepreneurs and developing new and growing businesses in the area,
as well as providing a vibrant hub for the community.
Birmingham City Council, which
owns the building, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) have set
aside £2m each for the work. A lease is being arranged with the Witton
Lodge Community Association (WLCA) to run the new Erdington Enterprise and
Entrepreneur Hub, or E3 Hub, in the Mason Road building.
Now the partners have renewed
their agreement to progress the project, with a view to begin work on site this
year.
Erdington Baths, which are
almost a century old, have stood empty since they were closed in 2014, when
they were replaced with a modern pool and leisure centre nearby.
The first phase of the
multi-million-pound regeneration will see the main reception area and pool hall
converted into a co-working space, studio pods, events and meeting rooms, and
the roof restored. Other essential repairs will also be completed. A second
phase, to follow, will add a restaurant/café, creche and smaller offices. Once
fully occupied the hub will create and support up to 80 local jobs.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West
Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “After laying empty and neglected for a
decade, this investment will breathe new life into this historic building–
re-establishing it as a community hub in the centre of Erdington.
“This will not only create new
jobs and opportunities for local people but preserve this heritage building for
future generations under the stewardship of the Witton Lodge Community
Association.
“By putting the right
partnerships and funding in place and with the backing of a creative community
we can protect and restore many of our historic buildings. I look forward to
seeing this important piece of local heritage being well used and much loved
once again by the people of Erdington.”
Birmingham City Council leader Cllr John Cotton said:
"Birmingham City Council is delighted to be working with Witton Lodge
Community Association on this fantastic project and it's great to now have
regional backing.
"The Erdington Enterprise and Entrepreneur Hub will
once again put this historic building at the very heart of Erdington life,
bringing the community together, supporting local businesses and improving
accessibility to wider employment opportunities for the local residents."
Afzal Hussain, Chief Officer
of Witton Lodge Community Association, said: “We’re delighted with this
investment from the WMCA. Combined with the funding from the Council it will
help us transform this much-loved but neglected building into a thriving community
and enterprise hub in the heart of Erdington.
“With a dedicated facility and
onsite support, we will be able to nurture local talent and unleash the
potential of our budding entrepreneurs and social enterprises.”
The project is the latest in a series of WMCA
investments, using funds secured from Government, to provide new homes, jobs
and commercial spaces on urban, brownfield sites, helping to support the
region’s economic growth.
Cllr Ian Courts, WMCA
portfolio holder for housing and leader of Solihull Council added: “While much
of our investment is geared towards clearing and regenerating brownfield sites
for housing or commercial development, this project shows how investment can be
used to regenerate our historical assets and Erdington Baths is not the only
example of this.
“We have taken similar steps
to retain other historic buildings such as Globe House in Walsall town centre
and the Citadel in Birmingham’s Corporation Street These are buildings which
add to the character of an area so it’s vital they are retained for future
generations to enjoy.”
