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Portland Street South, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE, OL6 7RE

The old baths at Ashton under Lyne with its distinctive chimney is a listed building and the only old thing left in the Stamford Street West area of Ashton which is undergoing "regeneration". A large fence hides the building work from Park Parade.

Stamford Street West has been redeveloped in recent years with all the old shops demolished. On the left can be seen the new Magistrates Court Image Behind that can be seen the Witchwood Image, a public house well known as a music venue. It was originally to have been demolished under the redevelopment plans but in the end it was saved. The brand new building in the centre Image is one of the new breed of walk-in health centres. On the right is the old baths Image with its iconic landmark tower. It has survived due to its Grade II listed building status but has yet to be found a suitable new use.

Seen from across Park Parade is the old Ashton Baths. The Corporation Baths Image were opened in 1870 at a cost of £16,000. The main pool was 100 feet long and 40 feet wide and used mainly by male bathers, with a three hour period on Thursdays reserved for ladies. In the eastern section of the building was a smaller pool, 27 feet long and 15 feet wide, for the use of female bathers. There were also private bathrooms and Turkish baths. Part of the building was used as a police station and a station for one fire engine. In winter the main pool was covered over with a wooden floor, built on wooden supports placed on the bottom of the pool. The room was then used as a skating rink, concert hall and meeting room. http://www.ashton-under-lyne.com/history/baths.htm The building was closed in the 1970s. In 1975 it became Grade II listed. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-212657-hugh-mason-house-ashton-under-lyne In 2014 the building was acquired by PlaceFirstLtd http://placefirst.co.uk/heritage/ashton-old-baths/ and work began to transform it into 21st century business hub. It re-opened in March 2016 Image

Built in 1870-71 to the design of Paull and Robinson, this is an impressive example of municipal social architecture. The Italianate style and the chimney in the form of a campanile are idiosyncratic, but well deserving of the English Heritage Listed Grade II* status. The building is currently unused, but it is hoped that it can be suitably integrated into the regeneration of this part of Ashton under the St Petersfield banner. This is the view from the north east.

On the right is the inner bypass, Park Parade. On the left is the Old Baths. The Corporation Baths Image were opened in 1870 at a cost of £16,000. The main pool was 100 feet long and 40 feet wide and used mainly by male bathers, with a three hour period on Thursdays reserved for ladies. In the eastern section of the building was a smaller pool, 27 feet long and 15 feet wide, for the use of female bathers. There were also private bathrooms and Turkish baths. Part of the building was used as a police station and a station for one fire engine. In winter the main pool was covered over with a wooden floor, built on wooden supports placed on the bottom of the pool. The room was then used as a skating rink, concert hall and meeting room http://www.ashton-under-lyne.com/history/baths.htm. The building was closed in the 1970s. In 1975 it became Grade II* listed https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1067992?section=official-list-entry. In 2014 the building was acquired by PlaceFirstLtd and work began to transform it into 21st century business hub. At 19:30 on Saturday 19th March 2016 a free event unfolded outside the baths. The "New Beginnings" event combined digital projections, choreographed dancing, and a thematic soundtrack telling the story of Ashton Old Baths through interwoven audio-visual acts in an action packed 45 minute display.

Built in 1870-71 to the design of Paull and Robinson, this is an impressive example of municipal social architecture. The Italianate style and the chimney in the form of a campanile are idiosyncratic, but well deserving of the English Heritage Listed Grade II* status. The building is currently unused, but it is hoped that it can be suitably integrated into the regeneration of this part of Ashton under the St Petersfield banner. This is the view from the north west.

Hugh Mason House a.k.a. Ashton Old Baths viewed across Park Parade. The Corporation Baths were opened in 1870 at a cost of £16,000. The building is constructed almost entirely of brick, with some stone decoration. It was built in a Byzantine style and has a 120 feet high tower which housed the flues from the steam boilers and heaters. The main pool was 100 feet long and 40 feet wide and used mainly by male bathers, with a three hour period on Thursdays reserved for ladies. In the eastern section of the building was a smaller pool, 27 feet long and 15 feet wide, for the use of female bathers. During the winter months, when the main bath was closed, the smaller pool was used by men and women at different times. There were also private bathrooms and Turkish baths. Part of the building was used as a police station and a station for one fire engine. Between November and March each year, the main pool was covered over with a wooden floor, built on wooden supports placed on the bottom of the pool. The room was then used as a skating rink, concert hall and meeting room. The skating rink measured 116 by 50 feet with a raised stage area at one end. When chairs were set out, the ground floor and the spacious gallery could seat more than 4,000 people. http://www.ashton-under-lyne.com/history/baths.htm The building was closed in the 1970s. In 1975 it became Grade II listed. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-212657-hugh-mason-house-ashton-under-lyne The listing has saved it from demolition but even as part of the St Petersfield development area a new use for it has yet to be found.