Here are two documents that formed part of the successful application to the heritage Lottery Fund.
The first is the Interpretation Proposal, which shows plans for how the history that relates to the building might be shared when the work is done. It starts by telling us the aim is to:
“… take a light-touch approach to in situ interpretation materials. Stirchley Baths has many stories to tell and to a considerable extent the building will speak for itself. Our aim is to provide interpretation materials that will enhance or further illustrate these stories, or will lead users of the building to stories that they may not have been aware of. We will aim to provoke interest and enquiry, and also point the way to where the curious may discover more. We will do this mainly through the use of photographs and enlarged facsimiles of original documents, with little or no explanatory text.”
Stirchley Baths Interpretation Proposal – click on the image to download the whole document
The other is the Activity plan which sets out the sorts of things that will happen – in relationship to heritage – at the hub and in the wider community. Click here or on the image to download.
Stirchley Baths activity plan – click on the image to download the whole document
Thanks for masses of hard work from the local heritage buildings charity Birmingham Conservation Trust for producing these.
Stirchley Community Hub – Programming Sub Group Meeting October 1st 2013
There were plenty of happy faces at the Stirchley Community Hub – Programming Sub Group meeting last night. They’d all heard the news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed to grant the final £1.2 million needed for the work to go ahead.
The thumbs up in the picture if not just the photographer being corny – echoes part of the campaign to show the HLF how strong community support was for the plan to find a fresh use for the derelict building.
Thumbs up for Stirchley Baths
Here are some rough notes from the conversation at the meeting:
The meeting started with the news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed to grant the final £1.2 million to allow the project to go ahead. As one person put it… “that’s the easy bit done”!
Budget
£1.178 million from Heritage Lottery Fund just over £1 million of that is capital contribution towards the building, £133k is for work on the development work around heritage of the baths and the neighbourhood.- heritage development officer and activity plan for 3 yrs
£3 million capital receipt (Tesco )
£9k BCC corporate resources
£15k BCC working for the future – for the self-check in kiosk for advice and information service
Timescale or what next…
Officers have to write a cabinet report and a final business case (already at the draft stage) for Birmingham City Council Cabinet to give the appropriate approvals required for the bid and approval to accept the money. The aim is to get that to either the November or December cabinet meeting – because there’s a lot to be considered in the next two months across the whole council.
The Build: Once Cabinet has given sign off the formal order can be placed with Acivico and Mansell Balfour Beatty as the contractor (this has already been agreed as part of BCC’s Construction west mids contractor agreement)
All Committee Reports have a ‘call in’ period of two weeks after approval.
Expecting then to start on site at the beginning of January – all going well it’s a 12 month build. Aim is to finish Dec 2014 – opening January 2015.
Heritage Lottery revenue of £133k: To develop – over three years – the Heritage aspects of the project.
Part time heritage officer – over 3 years. Likely to be a commission. (advertised after cabinet has approved).
Development fund money for heritage related activities.
A small amount for an evaluation of the heritage work.
Existing Community centreBookings there will move over to the new building when it opens.Other thoughts expressed at the meeting:
The Lifford Business Association are aiming to create a Business Improvement District for Stirchley, Cotteridge, Bournville and Kings Norton with the team working to support local business based out of the Stirchley Baths – using the hub for the town centre manager and their support. They want to help regenerate Stirchley and the other centres. there will be an outline bid fo the BIDF soon and they’ll be looking for feedback and support for what is known as the Pershore Rd Corridor.
The library and adult education service can also talk to Lifford Business Association about learning, information and skills.Stirchley Stores – will need to move in about 9 months. The baths would be one option..There is some digital equipment to help capture and record the development of the building and the development of the community activity in and around the building.
Discussion broadened to anticipating issues and making the most of the time before the building opened…
How will we use the building – what does it look like inside – how can we involve more people.
Visualising a life in the month of this centre to help clarify what will be needed in detail.
How daunting or otherwise can community asset transfer be?
Is this an asset protected for public good? – yes by the agreement with the heritage Lottery Fund.
Possibilities of coordinating voluntary work with other organsiations – even seeking additional money.
Look at case studies of elsewhere – if you started again what would you do differently?
Are the building plans on the website set in stone? Yes – but all the rooms are intended to be as multi-purpose as possible.
Opening and closing times are already linked to the planning application.
– Is there other income for the running of the centre – at the moment there is money that relates to running the current Stirchley Community centre. The City Council and therefore the District though is expecting budget cuts of 25%
Fantastic news – the HLF have given the thumbs up to the transformation of Stirchley Baths into a community hub.
Work on bringing the Grade II listed building back into use for the community can now get under way. You can have a look at the plans by clicking HERE.
Birmingham City Council issued this press release this morning:
A grant to refurbish a historic building which will rejuvenate the area creating cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities for local people has been received by Birmingham City Council.
The grant of almost £1.2m has been given by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to transform the Grade II listed former Stirchley Baths building into a new Urban Village Hall.
The Urban Village Hall will include activities and community functions. The new-look building will also incorporate a gallery area, meeting rooms, a cafe and classrooms.
Selly Oak District Chair, Cllr Karen McCarthy, said: “I know that Stirchley’s community organisations will be delighted with this news The bid had strong support from local people and groups, who will be celebrating now that we are one step closer to a multi-purpose venue suitable for all people of all generations.”
The transformed building will become a popular community hub. From a derelict building comes a visual highlight and a great space which will make a huge contribution to the regeneration of the area and to local people. ”
The project will preserve key historic features, including the original kiosk within the entrance area, the iconic chimney flue, balconies and tiling. There are also plans to reinstate some key lost features, for example the distinctive cupola and clock that faced onto Hazelwell Street.
Reyahn King, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for the West Midlands, said: “A prominent local landmark that has fallen into disrepair will be transformed by this project creating a multipurpose centre to serve the local community’s present and future needs while preserving original features of the historic baths.”
Peter Walker, Chair of Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum, said: “It now seems very real that the idea of a building in the heart of Stirchley that will promote community spirit and support cultural and creative activities is becoming a possibility.
“This project has always been a collaborative affair where local people have always had a voice and have always been listened to. I’m pleased to be part of something that will benefit local people and keeps a beautiful local building in use.”
Stirchley resident Shona McQuillan on why the HLF decision for Stirchley Baths – due very soon – just has to be a yes…
“I love the regeneration idea for Stirchley Baths. Making use of a beautiful, richly historic existing building rather than plundering cash into carbon-copy new-build is vital – and is something that should be happening more and more.
The plans won’t wipe out what’s there already, rather they will make the most of Stirchley’s unique traits and personality.
The community hub can factor in the whole spectrum of potential trade and cultural activity. Its community spaces will bring members of the community together when they might not normally be encouraged to do so.
The regeneration of Stirchley Baths could have a pivotal role in the rebirth of the area and support of such diverse activity. The time to sow the seeds of the renaissance is now.”
The decision from HLF is expected very soon. Please tell us why it *has* to be a ‘yes’ by:
There have been lots of messages online from local people ahead of the HLF's decision on the bid to transform Stirchley Baths into a thriving community hub at the very heart of the village. Here are some from Twitter...
