As reported yesterday, Leeds City Council has handed Bramley Baths into community ownership and the Friends of Bramley Baths, chaired by former Leeds West MP John Battle, will be taking on the running of the historic Baths as a community enterprise on a 25 year lease.

The Friends have proposed a community-led initiative, operating the Baths for the benefit of the local community, creating a range of affordable and accessible services.

Rachel has commented,

“I am delighted that Leeds City Council have made the decision to transfer ownership of Bramley Baths to the Friends of Bramley Baths. This group of community volunteers have worked extremely hard, giving up much of their free time to prepare a business plan and negotiate with the Council and I am glad that their efforts have paid off so that Bramley Baths can remain open for the community.

This time last year the Friends of Bramley Baths didn’t exist and myself and local councillors were fighting and campaigning hard just to keep the Baths open, with amazing backing and support from the people of Bramley. To see this group form out of a public meeting that I organised in Bramley Community Centre in June 2011 and witness the strength of feeling from the local community has been amazing and really shows the talent and commitment of the people of Bramley.

I hope that everyone in Bramley will support the efforts of the Friends of Bramley Baths and make that extra effort to visit and support the Baths when the Friends take over. This type of community venture needs the backing of the local community to succeed and I am sure that every person in Bramley will give their support to the group -; without whom, the Baths would have had to close.”