Jacobs Wells Baths has always been a place shaped by people. Built in 1889 to serve the working poor, it later became a much-loved dance centre, holding decades of movement, creativity and memory within its walls. In recent years, like so many buildings of its kind, it fell into disrepair and faced an uncertain future.

Across the UK, more than 75,000 community buildings have been lost over the past 15 years. Jacobs Wells Baths - a building that closed in 2018 and was sadly left to decay - could easily have become one of them. Instead, it is being repaired to be brought back into use for civic and cultural good and a reimagined as a space for arts, community and creativity for citizens of Bristol now and in future generations.

Repair work is now underway. For the first time in decades the building is surrounded by scaffolding. This marks a critical and time-limited moment. With access at height in place, we have a rare opportunity to carry out essential repairs that would otherwise be significantly more complex and costly to return to.

A key part of this is the repair and replacement of the historic roof lantern, restoring natural light to the heart of the building while securing its long-term future. Alongside this, we are working to protect as much of the building’s fabric as possible, stabilising and safeguarding it for the next phase of transformation.

Significant progress has already been made. Funding has been secured from national funders including the Community Ownership Fund and local trusts to support this first stage.

A major application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund is being developed to unlock the next stage of investment. Momentum is building - but there remains a gap to close in order to make the most of the works currently underway.

Support at this stage has a direct and immediate impact. It allows us to do more while access is in place, strengthens our case for further investment, and helps ensure that this building one of the few of its kind to be saved can fully realise its potential as a hub built by the people, for the people. 

Jacobs Wells Baths is not just being repaired; it is being reclaimed. With your support, it can once again become a place of opportunity, creativity and connectivity for folk from Bristol and beyond.

Please join us on this journey by giving, sharing and celebrating with us, each step of the way.

Emma Harvey, Trinity CEO & Jacobs Wells Baths Lead

Works so far

£2.2m emergency, enabling and repair works

Since taking on Jacobs Wells Baths, we have focused on stabilising the building and putting in place the foundations for its recovery. This has included securing a long-term lease, developing a viable restoration plan with the community and professional team, and raising over £2.2m from public and charitable sources. Early works have prioritised decontaminating the site from asbestos, making the building watertight and preventing further deterioration, ensuring that what remains can be protected and built upon.

Works now

Phase 1 is now live on site. With scaffolding in place, we are undertaking essential repairs at height, including roof works and the restoration and replacement of the historic lantern. This is a critical window where access allows us to address some of the most urgent and complex elements of the building. As part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund Development Stage, we've also been activating the space with help from Bristol's creative community. The work happening now is about stabilising the structure, protecting its historic fabric, and setting a strong foundation for the next phase and its eventual future as a civic and cultural hub for Central Bristol.

Next steps

c £5m renovations and restoration

Alongside delivery on site, we are preparing a major application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support Phase 2 of the project. This next stage will focus on restoring the interior, improving accessibility, and bringing the building back into full public use as a space for arts, community and learning.

Securing this investment will enable a step change in the project, unlocking the full potential of Jacobs Wells Baths as a cultural and civic asset.

A building shaped by the people, then and now

When Jacobs Wells Baths was first proposed in the late 19th century, it was an ambitious idea: to build a public baths for the people of Hotwells, in an area marked by poverty, overcrowding and poor living conditions. Plans were submitted in 1879 and approved, but the cost est £20,000 was considered far too high for local taxpayers. 

What followed was a process of negotiation and compromise. Elements of the original design were scaled back to make the project viable. Decorative features were reduced, materials simplified, and the final tender brought down significantly before construction could go ahead. In spite of all this, what was built 1884-1889 remained a striking and generous civic building space.

And it was built to last. Though the site has been neglected over the years, the Cattybrook brickwork remains remarkably intact, and in spite of decades of water ingress and disuse, the building’s core structure continues to stand strong and is a testament to the quality and care of its original Victorian construction. A place of dignity and care in a community that had little of either.

Built for £10,000, we are now asking for that same amount from the public to help shape its next chapter...

Jacobs Wells Baths exists because people found a way to make it happen.

Today, we find ourselves in a similar moment.

In September 2024 Trinity signed a 35 year leasehold, from asset owners Bristol City Council and have already secured major public and charitable investment so that works are now underway on site.

Just as in the 1880s, there is still a gap to close and choices to be made about what can be delivered now, while we have the chance.

Our current £10,000 public fundraising target plays a critical role in showing our funders you care. It allows us to maximise the works taking place while scaffolding is up, to restore key elements like the stonemasonry and roofs. Most importantly, it continues the building's origins as a space by the people, for the people, making the case for a civic assets like this, now and in future. 

Jacobs Wells Baths was shaped by collective effort at its beginning. This is our opportunity to do the same, to carry it forward for generations to come. 

Be part of the journey by supporting our Fundsurfer. 

(Photos by Khali Ackford Photography)