Historic vandalised Smethwick Baths will re-open as new health centreThe swimming baths closed in 2023 and were then vandalised forcing Sandwell Council to fork out £7,500 a month in extra

securityCommentsBlack CountryChristian Barnett Local Democracy Reporter05:42, 01 Jun 2025The former Smethwick Baths in Thimblemill Road, Smethwick. The grade II listed baths closed a year

ago after the opening of Sandwell Aquatics Centre(Image: Google Maps) An historic swimming baths will re-open as a new health centre.

The grade II listed Smethwick Baths, which closed two years ago, has been sold to a town healthcare firm as part of plans to preserve the building.

Dr Amandeep Suthi, from Norvic Family Practice, said: “We are excited to announce these proposals for the historic Thimblemill Baths building, which we know is much-loved by the local

community.

“We are working with architects to design a sympathetic conversion of this grade II listed building to restore it for public use, and we will provide more details as soon as we can.

Article continues below “We have run out of clinical rooms at our current site in Norman Road so we can’t offer any more appointments than we already do. By moving to new premises, we will

be able to offer more appointments in the future.”

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‌ The conversion of the building into a new health centre still requires planning permission from the local authority.

The art deco baths, which were open for more than 90 years before closing in July last year, have since been “extensively” vandalised with doors, toilets and windows smashed leaving

taxpayers footing £7,500 extra a month for tighter security.

Sandwell Council said the responsibility for keeping the former baths secure was now the responsibility of the new owner.

‌ The baths in Thimblemill Road closed following the public opening of the multi-million-pound Sandwell Aquatics Centre a mile away in Londonderry Lane.

Sandwell Council had agreed to work on plans by music charity the People’s Orchestra to move into the grade II listed building to create a new music venue and community hub. However, the

council was not keen to push ahead with those plans over fears it would be too risky and costly.

The council says it has more than 130 ‘assets’ in its property portfolio that are worth around £11m and surplus to requirements and is now looking to sell those off to meet a ‘savings

target’ of more than £4m in the next two years.

‌ At the start of the year, Cllr Peter Hughes, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure, admitted that ‘no planning’ had gone into the baths’ future despite agreeing

it would close seven years ago.

The council also revealed it was selling the building as part of a move to save £840,000.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet officially agreed in 2018 that Smethwick Baths would close after the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the newly built Sandwell Aquatics Centre opened to

the public in 2023.

Article continues below Sandwell Council said last year it had more than 130 ‘assets’ in its property portfolio worth around £11m that are surplus to requirements and the Black County

authority is looking to sell those off to meet a ‘savings target’ of more than £4m in the next two years.

Cllr Hughes added: "The council has worked hard to secure a positive future for this landmark building in Smethwick.

“I am delighted the sale is now complete – and I look forward to seeing the detailed design proposals for a conversion that promises to both preserve the building and benefit people’s health

and wellbeing for many years to come.”