Business case submitted for multi-million pound investment in Health Hydro

A total of £1.5m in funding has already been committed by Swindon Borough Council to begin the refurbishment of Swindon’s Grade II* Health Hydro on Milton Road, but Swindon’s Towns Fund Board has this week submitted a business case for a further £5m from the Government.

The Health Hydro is one of six projects identified by the Board for a share of the £19.5m allocated to Swindon from the Government’s Towns Fund.

The former Victorian baths and dispensary was built and opened in 1891 by the Great Western Railway Medical Fund. It was set-up as a cooperative where workers contributed to its upkeep in exchange for free treatment when they needed it.

The Health Hydro is recognised as the first sustained experiment in socialised health care and was regarded as so revolutionary for the time that it was visited by Nye Bevan and William Beveridge who were the architects of the National Health Service.

The building’s listing was upgraded to II* in 2019, in recognition of its significant architectural and historical value, placing the building in a group of just six per cent of listed buildings in the country.

Now a programme of works has been identified for an initial first phase of works which will set the scene for the full refurbishment of the building over the years to come.

If the funding bid to Government is successful the first phase will include:

• Restoration of the main pool
• The restoration of the main entrance on Faringdon Road
• Improving access to the pool and Turkish Baths
• Creating purpose-built changing facilities
• Creating additional gym space
• Restoring the roof and upgrading the plant within the building to make it watertight and energy efficient

It is hoped that by completing the first phase, it will act as a catalyst for future funding bids to restore the remainder of the Health Hydro, including the small pool.

The business case submitted to the Government estimates that the refurbishment of the Health Hydro will deliver £13.7m of additional economic benefits, while also increasing the attractiveness of the town centre as a place to live, work and invest.

Earlier this year a consortium led by Fourth Street, who have helped to deliver projects such as Alexandra Palace, the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre and St George’s Park, home of the English FA, was appointed to develop plans for the restoration.

Councillor David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “The Health Hydro is one of our most iconic heritage assets and the Towns Fund Board has made a compelling case to Government for the additional £5m in funding for phase one of this significant restoration project.

“We have identified the Health Hydro as a priority project in the town’s Heritage Action Zone with the aim of creating a unique leisure and heritage destination, which will help boost the local economy by drawing people into Swindon’s town centre.

“I am really hopeful the Board’s business case will be successful and we can start work as soon as possible.”

Richard Newland, chairman of Swindon’s Towns Fund Board, said: “The restoration of the Health Hydro is a project the whole Towns Fund Board is incredibly excited about as it was a facility which was ahead of its time and is so deeply rooted in the town’s railway past.

“We want the building to once again inspire local people to make healthier life choices and this is reflected in the vision for the Health Hydro: ‘The Health Hydro will add life to years, as well as years to life’.

“But as well as the health benefits, the business case has demonstrated how a thriving, refurbished Health Hydro will boost the local area and economy by increasing footfall not just within the Heritage Action Zone area but within the wider town centre.”

The Council is leading on the investment of over £100m in town centre projects over the next four years, the majority of which has been secured though successful funding bids to central government.

The Heritage Action Zone brings support and £1.6m funding from Historic England to revitalise the Railway Village where the Health Hydro is located.

For more information on projects and investment that is taking place in Swindon town centre over the next four years, visit: www.swindon.gov.uk/towncentreregeneration