Building record 10094 - Chester City Baths, Union Street

The Chester City Baths were built in 1898 as a public swimming pool and slipper bath. Designed by John Douglas for the City Council it is build of stone dressed red brick with timber framing and plaster panels. It was included on English Heritage’s Listed Building Register in 1972. (1)

During World War II the City baths also served as an emergency water supply and the letters ‘EWS’ still survive on the side of the building just above a carved stone border just above ground level with a valve installed in the wall adjacent. The valve and the wooden box surrounding it survive in the present building. (2) The City Baths served a number of other functions during the War including serving as a decontamination centre of clothing and persons as well as having a steam powered air raid siren (3)

<1> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2005, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vii, The City of Chester - The City of Chester, Culture, Buildings, Institutions (Book). SCH6522.

<2> Stuart, E., 2005, What did you do in the War Deva?, p212-213 (Book). SCH6921.

<3> Lowry, B, 1998, The Defence of Britain: WWII buildings in Chester (Unpublished Report). SCH7074.