Maden Public Baths

Image: © Gerald England Taken: 6 Aug 2022

The baths were opened in December 1893. Building News reported "Each entrance will be of sufficient width for double turnstiles in and out, in addition to a pass gate in the centre, with latch available for visitors, officials, etc, who are not bathers, so as to have a complete register. The women and first-class men use one entrance, and the second-class men the other. With this arrangement it is provided that women can occasionally have the use of the first-class swimming-baths within certain hours of the day. The position of the laundry is such as to make it convenient for the attendant to pass from thence to the women's baths (which are situated over the entrances) without loss of time. The laundry and washhouse, with drying-closet, are placed over the boiler-house, which is provided with two boilers. ... There are six slipper-baths for women, three of which would be considered first-class, and three second-class, the difference being principally in the fitting up of the baths with shower, etc. There are six slipper-baths for men, three of which will be first-class and three second-class; each will have a shower-bath. ... Each swimming bath is well lighted from the roof with inclined vertical lights." https://manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk/buildings/maden-public-baths-rochdale-road-bacup It is now used as a community centre and includes a Youth Zone https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/youthzone/ and a Childcare Centre https://www.madenearlyyears.co.uk/

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