Saving a rare Grade II*-listed Edwardian bathhouse and library

DIA is leading the landmark restoration, which has recently secured a £9.27m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant. This completes a c£16m funding package that will see one of only a handful of Grade II* listed swimming baths in the UK reopen as a thriving community destination for swimming, health, wellbeing, culture and events. The adjacent library, also Grade II* listed will be expanded with a new mezzanine and connected to the Baths as a single complete building.

Built in 1907, the Baths are considered one of the best examples of municipal bathhouses of the Edwardian period. The flamboyant and much loved building designed by architects William Hale and Son had, however, suffered from severe decay as it gradually fell into disuse due to the difficulty of maintaining it, and was put on the Heritage at Risk Register in 2005.

Phase 2 will see the full restoration of the iconic Gala Pool, including a restored mezzanine gallery and a new accessible ground-floor public viewing area, conversion of Pool 2 into a flexible event space, and the creation of a community health & wellbeing hub.

This will follow directly on from Phase 1 works, which commenced in September 2025 and are focused on restoration of the roofs and making the buildings watertight, basement repairs, alongside the full restoration of Balsall Heath Library – which was opened in 1895, and designed by Jethro A. Cossins and Peacock.

**Unlocking opportunity **

Alongside capital works, the project will deliver an extensive programme of public engagement. Hard hat tours, activities and events will run across Balsall Heath and the Library throughout construction and in the lead-up to the Baths’ reopening, alongside employment and training opportunities for local people.

New accessibility features, including two Changing Places facilities, pool hoist and pod, lift and ramp access, and wheelchair-accessible changing and viewing areas, will mean Moseley Road Baths is universally accessible for the first time in its history. The Activity Plan also includes accessible programming designed to reach diverse audiences, including SEND, LGBTQ+, women-only swims, dementia-friendly swims, para and disability swimming lessons, and sensory swimming.