Hope for future of city's Turkish baths
BBCPlans to restore a city's Victorian Turkish baths to their former glory are slowly moving forward, those behind the project said.
The Grade II listed facility on James Street in Carlisle closed in 2022 due to high running costs and The Friends of Carlisle's Victorian and Turkish Baths are working on a bid to take over the building from Cumberland Council.
"We're having this transition from a group that started on Facebook, to a charity to save the baths and now a charity that's going to take over quite a large asset and run a multimillion-pound project," said trustee Elsa Price.
The charity is holding an event on Saturday to give people a chance to see its plans and ask questions.
"It's a way to let people know we're still here, to keep in touch and let them know what's happening," Ms Price said.
The group commissioned a study which said its plans for the baths were viable, but there is a lengthy road of applications for funding ahead before it can come to fruition.
"I would say we're looking at a good couple of years," said Ms Price.
She added the priority would be to restore the facility's original features.
Although the Victorian swimming pool was no longer viable due to the high running costs, the charity would look a retaining some spa-like facilities, such as a sauna and steam room, and a wellbeing centre for community use, she said.
There would also be a cafe and a social enterprise laundrette.
"It wouldn't be like a high-end hotel spa, we want the space to be open and accessible to all people," said Ms Price.
The open meeting is due to be held at the Old Town Hall in Carlisle at 14:30 BST on Saturday.