Hackney (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A 1930s bath house in Hackney Wick will stay open as a not-for-profit, after a sauna company stepped in to manage the historic community landmark.
Before opening more locations throughout London, the social company Community Sauna Baths opened its flagship Hackney Wick location at the Bath House in 2021.
Hackney Council will now administer the entire Bath House building under a new deal, with the responsibility of safeguarding the numerous independent and small businesses housed there and making sure they are operated in the community’s best interests.
In the midst of significant change occurring around Hackney Wick, the Bath House and the adjacent Trowbridge Gardens were two underutilized Council-owned buildings that were transformed to preserve space for independent businesses and creative enterprises.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said:
“Community Sauna Baths is a fantastic organisation that has shown how to put social good and wellbeing first – it’s great to see the team working collaboratively to ensure the Bath House meets its full potential.
The Bath House is a vital community and creative space for Hackney Wick and, despite recent uncertainty, it has always been our commitment to keep it that way.
I’m really happy that we can now provide a secure future to the organisations based there and for people in Hackney Wick.”
Charlie Duckworth, co-director of Community Sauna Baths commented:
“We’re grateful to Hackney Council for their vision and commitment in securing the future of The Bath House. Thanks to their support, this vital community space is now protected for the long term – not only for our sauna but for the many small businesses, creatives, and neighbours who bring the building to life.
For the past four years, The Bath House has been our home – the place where we grew from one sauna in the backyard to five sites across London.
We’re deeply grateful to the community that has supported us on that journey, and thankful that our flagship sauna will remain here in Hackney Wick, at the heart of the neighbourhood where it all began.”
How will the new management affect community groups using the Bath House?
Local organizations using the Bath House in Hackney Wick will remain in a position of relative stability, with continued access, under the new management of Community Sauna Baths, who has guaranteed to keep the building as a not-for-profit community space. The new lease includes numerous protections and guarantees for existing and new community tenants and activities.
Current community groups and businesses will not face any increases in rent; existing tenants will be given license agreements that will be longer and therefore more stable and secure for the tenants and their future planning.
The community garden will remain communal, and sauna activities will not increase into shared areas or take away from any activities that go on when using the property without a sauna.