£25M REGENERATION PLAN FOR HISTORIC SITE
A £25m plan to redevelop a historic swimming pool which has been closed for more than a
decade will be put out to public consultation after being submitted to Westminster City
Council.
If the proposals are given the go ahead the ambitious project will see the restoration of
Marshall Street baths in Soho, which first opened in 1928, as well as a wider redevelopment
of the site.
Marshall Street Leisure Centre is a Grade II listed building that has been on English
Heritage's "Buildings at Risk" register and was closed for safety reasons in 1997. Public
swimming baths have been on the site since 1852, and the proposed renovation will bring the
facility back into public use, creating a variety of modern community leisure facilities .
Councillor Daniel Astaire, Westminster City Council's Cabinet Member for Customer and
Community Services, said:"These proposals would ensure this stunning and historic site is
restored to its former glory. Not only would there be a fine swimming pool, gym and health
suite for the community to enjoy, but the whole complex would be redeveloped.
"We are very keen for the local community to give us their views as we want to involve them
in the whole process. After all, if the plans are endorsed it will be local people who will
be using the new facilities."
Westminster City Council has signed a contract with a consortium, called Marshall Street
Regeneration Limited, made up of Resolution Property plc and Vinyl Factory, to finance the
development of the site which will also include an upgrade of the Soho Car Park in Poland
Street and a brand new Council street cleansing depot in Dufours Place.
The Director of Marshall Street Regeneration Ltd, Tim Robinson said: "We have been working on
this project for over 2 years and we would like to thank the Friends of Marshall Street, the
Soho Society and other local community groups for encouraging us to progress the planning
application to this stage. We hope that it will be received positively and bring about the
re-opening of this fantastic pool and leisure centre."
The planning application is expected to be heard this summer, following public consultation.
If approved the high quality refurbished and upgraded leisure centre could be open to the
public by Spring 2009.
As part of the deal, in addition to the re-developed leisure centre, new cleansing depot and
upgraded parking facilities, Westminster will receive £3.5 million from the developers to
fund capital works and £2.3 million from the sale of two leases on adjoining properties. For
more information and to view the planning details go to www.marshallstreet-w1.co.uk
or telephone 020 7641 2645.
The site proposals include:
- The complete restoration of the listed Marshall Street Leisure
Centre building which will be retained as a Council owned asset and operated as a public
leisure facility and similar to other leisure sites in the city offering a wide and diverse
programme of activities
- Restoration of the marble lined main pool with new and upgraded changing facilities and health suite
- Ancillary leisure buildings including a gym and two exercise class/ dance studios
- Upgrading the car park
- A new build, upgraded and better designed cleansing depot, capable of meeting the challenge
of cleaning Soho's busy streets as well as reducing the impact of the facility on local residents
- Studio workspace and residential accommodation including a percentage of affordable housing
- Rehousing of the Shared Experience Theatre company within the proposed studio workspace
- The Leisure Centre
will operate as a public facility, like others provided across the City, with fees, charges
and resident discounts similar to those operating at other sites in the council's ownership
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