Words by Ed King / Pics by Joe Marchant
On Thursday 18 July, Witton Lodge Community Association officially launched ‘Phase One’ of their latest suburban development – transforming the near century old Erdington Swimming Baths into a vibrant Enterprise Hub.
With a projected cost of £6.5m, the ribbon was finally cut on the ambitious project which has been in planning stages for years and survived a global health crisis, local authority financial collapse, and a change in national government.
Erdington Local previously reported from the July opening ceremony, click here to read.
But as Birmingham watches the garage sale of its public assets, to buy sand for the city’s multi-million pound financial meltdown, the future of Erdington Swimming Baths is now very publicly secured – bringing with it a brand new community hub for local businesses and entrepreneurs in Erdington Town Centre.
The word ‘gamechanger’ is being said, several times, by several different people – as a group of local stakeholders, elected officials, and community groups are introduced to the new Enterprise Hub from Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA).
The project, which now official enters ‘Phase One’, is set to turn the near 100 year old Swimming Baths into a centre of commerce and community for startup businesses and freelance creatives.
It’s hyperbole, ‘gamechanger’, and used so often it’s in danger of devaluing its meaning. But this time, in this place, after all it took to get here and with all it could mean to Erdington, it feels like an appropriate description. Just look at what The Custard Factory did for Digbeth.
Plus, the project has committed to not only saving the historic building but keeping “as much of the memory and history of these Baths” during its development – tells Rob Annabelle from Axis Design Architects, who worked on the Eco Hub with WLCA and was brought in at the Enterprise Hub concept stage before handing over to the Digbeth’s Intervention Architecture.
“We went in with a light touch,” continues Rob, “inserting something into the building that didn’t need to strip any internal surfaces out.
“So, the original tiling and details from the Baths would remain. The original structure would be in place. And I suppose fundamentally, using the depth of the pool space so it maintains the edge of the pool – so it could still feel like a swimming pool, from the shallow end to the deep end.” There’s probably a metaphor relative to the world of commerce in there somewhere, but let’s have a look back at the money.
Both have different figureheads now, with their predecessors respectively booted and voted out of office. And both are still here to celebrate and support the ‘Phase One’ launch of the project, which has fought for survival through a global health crisis and the effective bankruptcy of the city it needed to support it.
Recently elected West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker is quick to recognise the work done by Andy Street to help get the Enterprise Hub over the line, deftly addressing the support the region’s erstwhile Mayor gave the project.
Cllr John Cotton, the now Council Leader, is less vocal about the Shard End councillor who came before him – although BCC has now matched the WMCA investment of £2m to support the initial development, an increase of £1,205,000 from the cheque on the table when Cllr Ward was running the city. Mind you, a lot has changed financially in Birmingham since then.
“It’s so incredibly exciting for Erdington,” Cllr Cotton tells Erdington Local, after coming out of his tour of the swimming pool space now under development, “clearly this is about bringing a heritage asset – something at the heart of the community – back into use.”
And what about the city’s heritage assets, many of which now have a starting price tag and could be under the hammer anytime soon? How does it feel to be saving and not selling a red brick building in the city’s portfolio?
“I think this also pays tribute to the tremendous assets that we have out in our community,” adds Cllr Cotton. “Organisations like Witton Lodge that have been driving this forward and are rooted in the heart of our communities.
“And certainly, as we address some of the challenges we face as a Council that partnership with organisations like Witton Lodge, and many others across the city, is going to be crucial to addressing those big challenges we know we still face.”
The elephant in the room, at last. Erdington Local has been asking the Council’s press office for clarification on their funding for the project, with only months of “we’ll get back to you” and then silence.
But as nearly one and a quarter million more has been granted from the city’s coffers, after Birmingham became effectively bankrupted, we ask again. Face to face, can the city’s top politician now confirm there is actually enough cash in the Council kitty?
“That (BCC investment money) was agreed in July of last year,” explains the Council Leader, “through a Cabinet report and was subsequently signed off through our Section 151 processes that we’ve got in place during the current financial challenges.
“So that money is accounted for, allocated, and available to support the project.”
He adds: “I think it’s got a massive impact, when you’re talking about creating jobs and opportunities for people. Also, the money will input into the local supply chain with the refurbishment to the building… there’s a huge multiplier effect to all of this.
“And fundamentally you’ve got something that’s a long-term heritage asset for this part of the city that’s got a bright future – but is also building bright futures for all the people who will come through its doors. So, I think it’s an absolute win win.”
Surrounding us are the team from Witton Lodge Community Association, who no doubt mirror the sentiments of the Council Leader. And who’s tenacity and belief in the project have made it the only real development on Erdington High Street since the area lost out on two multi-million pound government regeneration bids – the Future High Streets Fund in late 2020 and the Levelling Up Fund in early 2023.
It is worth noting, that since Erdington Local has been on shelf – over four years ago – WLCA has also managed to convert a century old gatekeeper’s cottage by Witton Lakes, that was in serious Council neglected disrepair, into a new Eco Hub and community café.
They also took over the abandoned Walk In Centre on Erdington High Street, once the axe finally dropped and the facility was moved by NHS bosses to Stockland Green.
And now it’s Erdington Swimming Baths, which you could have bet good money would have ended up on the commercial market – a place the neighbouring Erdington Library is in significant danger of finding itself.
“In all honesty, it’s still sinking in,” tells Witton Lodge Community Association CEO, Afzal Hussain. “When you’ve been at something for such a long time and you reach this milestone – which is huge, in the sense that we can really look to the future with confidence.
He adds: “We’ve got the funds secured; we’ve got the plans in place, we’ve got the teams in place, we’ve got the community on side… it feels great. It feels great that we’re able to take that next step.
“And today (‘Phase One’ launch event) I think is really important, not least because of the development at the front, with the ‘pocket park’ (a community involved project to brighten up the frontage whilst building work takes place inside).
“But it’s a way to start to engage, reengage, and reconnect with our local businesses and communities, and build that support over time.”
And after over five years of planning and negotiating, the money now in the bank will deliver the core of the project – turning the central pool hall into a space for local entrepreneurs, with a range of options from hot desks to stand alone units to house a variety of sized businesses.
But what about the rest, where’s the £2.5m for the project’s bells and whistles coming from? “We’re always looking,” continues the WLCA Chief Executive Officer. “I think the difference is this, with the £4m (from BCC and WMCA) we will be able to preserve the building and restore the roof.
“We’ll be able to create a café, open it up to the public, and really convert the pool with the co-working spaces, the pods… so that means the project works as it stands.”
And the patience already shown by WLCA and the project’s partners will stand them in good stead, because “even with a fair wind it will still take us a couple of years before the building is open” admits Afzal Hussain.
He adds: “But we now know the building will be open – and I think that’s the gamechanger.”
And there’s that word again.
Erdington Enterprise Hub ‘Phase One’ launch event / Pics by Joe Marchant
For more on Witton Lodge Community Association visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk
