What about men's rights? Harrogate's Turkish baths are just sexist, council is told

A WRITER embroiled in a five-year battle with Harrogate council after men-only sessions at the town's historic Turkish Baths were scrapped has attacked the decision as sexist.
Harrogate's Turkish Baths. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyHarrogate's Turkish Baths. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Harrogate's Turkish Baths. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Travel writer Peter Lilley’s original complaint was triggered when the council announced in 2011 that it was ending men-only sessions at the baths.

The row led to a string of claims and counter-claims over the alleged sexism against men and two Freedom Of Information requests and two internal reviews have been carried out by the council.

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Mr Lilley was a regular customer at the baths, but now says the decision is unfair towards men and claims the council’s actions breached the terms of The Equality Act 2010.

Peter LilleyPeter Lilley
Peter Lilley

He said: “If you genuinely believe in the concept of equality, you can’t pick and choose about when it should be applied.

“While I understand people normally think of equality in the context of women seeking the same opportunities and benefits as men, in the case of the Turkish Baths, it’s men who are clearly being discriminated against.”

Mr Lilley, who has visited Turkish Baths in many countries from Tunisia to Turkey, says he will continue fighting the decision as he believes he is standing up for men’s rights.

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He added: “While some people may find that notion awkward and uncomfortable, I don’t feel at all embarrassed about speaking up for men’s rights.”

One of the hot room chambers at Harrogate Turkish BathsOne of the hot room chambers at Harrogate Turkish Baths
One of the hot room chambers at Harrogate Turkish Baths

As early as December 14, 2011, the council’s chief executive Wallace Sampson said he did not regard the decision to end men-only sessions as discriminatory “as we provide a service jointly for both sexes.”

Harrogate Borough Council say the decision to end men-only sessions in favour of mixed sessions and women-only sessions was made purely on business reasons.

A spokesperson said: “Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to end men-only sessions was made after carefully considering attendance levels.

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“The council runs the Turkish Baths on behalf of the district’s council taxpayers and it is important that they are commercially successful.

Harrogate's Turkish Baths. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyHarrogate's Turkish Baths. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Harrogate's Turkish Baths. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

“A review of the Turkish Baths programme in 2011 highlighted that attendance at men only sessions had declined an average of 17 attendances per session and was lower than for other sessions.”

In total Peter has submitted two FOI requests to the council but, unhappy with the responses, these have led to two internal reviews by the council into how they handled those requests.