CAMPAIGNERS are calling for urgent clarity on the fate of Carlisle's 138 year-old historic Turkish baths.

The Turkish Health Suite on James Street is set to close in September when the neighbouring Pools building is demolished, making way for the Borderlands funded redevelopment of Carlisle Train Station.

At that point GLL staff will move to the redeveloped Sands Centre which will become the new home of swimming provision in Carlisle thanks to the Town Deal.

READ MORE: Turkish Baths campaigners head to crunch meeting with Carlisle City Council officers

Friends of Carlisle's Victorian and Turkish Baths attended a meeting of Carlisle City Council on Tuesday asking the leader what financial provision has been made for the facilities in the maintenance programme that will be transferred to the new Cumberland Council.

Councillor John Mallinson said that while no commitments could be made to the future of the baths, all aspects are being considered and a business case will be submitted to scrutiny.

The subsidy to the rate payer for attendees of the baths is £24 per person.

Carlisle City Council is also waiting for an answer from the Cumberland Council leadership on whether they are prepared to take it over.

The campaign group has now written to the leaders of the city, county and new unitary council proposing a "short term fix" for the situation.

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They have urged Carlisle City Council's leadership to open a separate contract with GLL to operate the baths.

Chair of the Friends, Julie Minns, said: “We understand that not knowing when and for how long the Turkish Baths might have to close to facilitate the demolition of the 1974 swimming pool, makes it difficult to agree a contract for the operation of the Turkish Baths.

"But that work is not due to start until January at the earliest. We have therefore proposed that Executive Councillors agree a contract with GLL to operate the Baths until the end of December.

"This not only removes any uncertainty about the impact of the demolition works from January onwards, but the budget required for the contract can be approved by the Executive at its August meeting.

"The alternative is having to wait until after GLL had begun to move staff over to The Sands Centre in September. This way residents, the Council and GLL all have certainty about when the Baths will and will not be open.”

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