This week our readers got talking about the authority's final opportunity to rescue Carlisle's historic bathhouse from closure before its finances are taken over by the new Cumberland Council.

Members of the Friends of the Turkish Baths group will attend the Civic Centre on Tuesday April 26 for the last full council meeting before the election on May 5. 

Julie Minns, the campaign group’s leader said: "It’s the last meeting of the city council before the new authority is elected which is why we’re very keen to make our representations at this meeting."

The group has campaigned for the continuation of Carlisle’s Turkish Health Suite since it was revealed the heritage asset is under threat.

The swimming provision and staff of its operator GLL will be moved to the Sands Centre meaning the 1970s pool building will be demolished at that point, forcing the closure of the adjacent Turkish Baths - which is the only facility of its kind in the North West.

Friends of the Turkish Baths have called on councillors to hand ownership of the baths to the public so that they can embark on its restoration project. 

Councillor Stephen Higgs, portfolio holder for culture, heritage and leisure at the city council said: “We’ll certainly be interested to hear what they’ve got to say. I think what they want is for us to tender for an operator after GLL but unfortunately, we’re still not in a position to be able to do that."

Here's what our readers had to say about the future of the bathhouse. 
Mark Green questioned: "May we ask how much of their own money these 'activists' are going to put into this projects?

To which Sammy JB said : "I'm not an activist but a passionate volunteer who gives a lot of my free time to support, raise money for and improve this public asset to keep it open to the public for years to come.

Our reader Doreen Kirkbride said: "Money should have been given to them instead of wasting it in town centre which has been damaged already."

A reader by the alias on Opinionated local wrote: "The Turkish baths may be visually interesting however in reality they are a throwback to times when people couldn't bathe at home."

READ MORE: Activists will attend city council meeting in bid to save Turkish Baths