Edwardian swimming baths in Hull gets £3 million upgrade

Work is now under way at a cost of £3m as Hull City Council aims to bring the historic building into the 21st century.

Workers have been restoring historic features on the Grade II listed building which first opened in 1905, as well as fitting new heating and electrical systems.

The scheme also includes building a new larger gym, restoring the original one and refitting the swimming pool and changing rooms.

Coun David Craker, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism, said the works meant Hull residents would be able to use the “fantastic” building long into the future.

The cost of the work to both Beverley Road and Albert Avenue baths soared to £7.5m at the start of the year, from a previous estimate of £4.7m.

Coun Craker said the project was currently on budget, despite delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

He added: “This is a 100-year-old building that we’re reinvesting in so the people of Hull can use this facility well into the future.”

Gary Horth, the council’s project manager at the site, said the refurbishments would make the building “maintenance proof” for the next 20 years.

Mr Horth said: “We have some delays because of coronavirus. And the thing about working on a listed building is that you never know what you’ll find along the way.

“Once we got up the scaffolding and to the roof, we found the stone work needed repairs

and the windows had to be replaced.

“The issue is you can only do so much because its a listed building. But the important thing is that it’s maintained, and these works will make the building maintenance proof for the next 20 years.”