One of Birmingham’s best-loved historic buildings is being given a new lease of life, after decades of local campaigning helped secure its future.
Work on Moseley Road Baths in Balsall Heath began in 2023 as part of a £32.7m restoration project involving the Grade II*-listed swimming baths and neighbouring Balsall Heath Library.
The scheme is funded by £10m from Birmingham City Council, £9.2m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £15.5m in government levelling-up funding. The baths are now run by a charitable organisation.
A swimming pool, library and piece of local history
The buildings will be connected, with a new mezzanine floor added to the library. The Gala Pool will be restored, while an accessible ground-floor viewing area will open up the site to more visitors. The second pool is set to become an event space.
The restoration will also preserve the building’s former wash-house facilities. Cast-iron baths, replaced in the 1950s but carefully stored, are due to be reinstalled alongside the original-style glazed tiles.
The library is expected to reopen in summer 2027, with the baths following between the end of 2028 and the start of 2029. The project has been shaped by the memories of generations of residents who learned to swim there, helping keep the building alive while its future was uncertain.
Why it matters for Britain
The project protects an important piece of Birmingham’s built heritage while adding improved library, swimming, viewing and community event facilities. It also shows how local campaigning and public funding can help bring a historic public building back into everyday use.
