Govanhill Baths sale gets backing from councillors

However, a final funding grant still needs to be secured to ensure the scheme can progress.

A £1 sale to Govanhill Baths Building Preservation Trust, which will complete the £6.5 million refurbishment on behalf of Govanhill Baths Community Trust, was backed by members of Glasgow City Council’s contracts and property committee.

Councillors welcomed the sale, which is a vital move towards converting the site into a health and well-being centre.

But a report to the committee said: “Currently the Trust has secured the majority of its required funding for refurbishment.

“The remaining money, an application to the Regeneration Capital Grant Funding (RCGF), is progressing through the RCGF process with an outcome expected at the end of February.

“Successfully securing the funding for the restoration will be a condition of sale.”

A council officer revealed this grant is yet to be secured.

He said: “We hoped it would have been announced by today but it has been delayed.

“It will probably be the start of next week before RCGF announce what their funding will be for the forthcoming year across Scotland.

“It is still dependent on the successful outcome of that funding.”

When questioned on how this would impact the sale, he added: “It leaves us with a challenge, all the funders have met and agreed they’re still supportive of the scheme.

“It would be up to the Govanhill Baths Community Trust to come back with revised proposals, possibly less ambitious proposals.

“This community group is in this for the long haul, they’ve been doing good work and trying to safeguard the building and move things forward for well over a decade now.

“Signs from RCGF are positive, we’re hopefully for a positive outcome. I think all the funders are agreed they wouldn’t walk away from the deal. There would be a need for the community group to come back and say here’s what we will do.”

Glasgow City Council has previously approved a £500,000 contribution to the project.

Other funding includes £950,000 of Big Lottery Fund money, £500,000 Historic Environment Scotland cash and £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The building is planned to reopen next year.