105 replies to this topic

[Le200]

The baths.
Have they been demolished?
If it has, did anyone get any pics?

It was a nice building

[Dave]

Yep, they're gone. I did a double-take the other week when I drove down there and saw sky where there shouldn't have been any. The site is surrounded by boards at the moment so there's not much to see.

Pete's 'Then & Now' of a few years ago.

[DJGAZZA]

I went passed on Sunday, the sportshall is still there but the baths and the old building are gone.

Gazza

PS didn't have my camera Le

[Leeroy]

Its sad that the old building has gone , surely this could have been refurbed and formed part of the new building. But as normal , they knock down a building that could have another 100 years left in it to put up cheap steal and plastics , which will look outdated and shoddy in a decade.

[Le200]

What a waste, any other town would have preserved at least the building

[Le200]

I went to the baths today with the camera but there's nowt left

[brunty]

it would be nice to know who had the final say on its demolition,anyone know who the coucillor
is for that ward.

[Griffin]

The townscape of St. Helens in 2010 is largely a function of the realisation that there's little money to be made from restoration and conservation, but a great deal for all concerned in redevelopment. In some areas, civic pride, community spirit and administrative integrity have overcome the desire for profit. Not here, sadly. Look at the centres of some European cities which were completely destroyed during the war. Now, stroll around the mediaeval buildings and you'd never think so. If something can be built, it can be rebuilt, if people can be bothered.

[Alan]

I couldn't agree more. The way St Helens has demolished street after street of "conservable" houses of character and replaced them with retail sheds etc makes me weep. The demolition of that beautiful and characterful baths building could not have happened in most other towns. It'd have been listed as of historical interest and had a preservation order slapped on it in any other town I can think of. The rot started when Gerry Caughey was Council Leader.

[Griffin]

In our wonderful town, the bestowal of "listed" status is but a temporary hindrance to urban renewal. The building in question mysteriously goes on fire, following which it is deemed unsafe and pulled down. There are many examples of this phenomenon.

[Carr Millite]

How long had the baths been there? I must never have looked further than the facade which, personally, I thought was hideous.
1960's building at it's worst.

[Alan]

Yes, you must have had your eyes shut CM. The glazed red brick frontage was pure Victoriana

[Carr Millite]

My eyes probably were shut Alan. I dreaded school swimming lessons, still fear water (still can't swim) and only went to the baths with my mates on Saturday mornings as a spectator.
Oh and the delicious pies some lady baked at the back of her terrace house around the corner!

[DJGAZZA]

Oh yes those pies and a little Hovis from the shop across the road

[Griffin]

There was indeed a hideous 1960s facade tacked on to the front of the older building, forming a sort of reception area. The house to the right, which had formerly been occupied by the custodian, was original, but had been very neglected for years. When we went on a Saturday morning, we bought a French loaf afterwards from that shop.