Pix of the day. Monday, June 9th

Richard Wyatt

For how much longer must this historic building have to suffer such indignity?

It deserves a brighter future.

Published by Richard Wyatt

Freelance Journalist, broadcaster, columnist and local historian. Director of Bath Newseum. Married and lives in Bath. Interested in local history, architecture and visual display in museums and urban spaces.

8 Comments

  1. A similar school in Totnes has long been converted to community use as a centre for arts, crafts, charity fund raisers and other groups’ needs. Such a centre would benefit all Bath after the hub for groups, drama, yoga and charities, The Argyle Church halls, Grove Street closed. This closure led to the scattering far and wide of many active and popular groups.

  2. Could Bath’s new Mayor perhaps begin his term in office by actively getting behind a campaign to have this once-handsome building returned to its original use, as an educational establishment ?
    As it was once a boys school, and as the new Mayor’s commitment is for education for all, this seems a wonderful opportunity to push ahead for its use as a learning centre, for Bath’s citizens, young & old.

    1. Brilliant idea…as you suggest it would be a wonderful project for the new mayor to get behind and a huge benefit to the entire community of Bath.
      Its so sad to see such a beautiful building falling into disrepair when it could be a vibrant part of city life.

  3. Agreed Richard – I think it is now about 30 odd years it’s been left to rot. The anti-change agencies in the city have caused this lovely old building to decay due to their inability to see buildings need repurposing to have a continued life. So long as the exterior is kept in tact the interior should be able to be redesigned to have a working life. Any good architect would keep the best of the internals in any case. Even our esteemed BPT has made changes and additions to No1 Royal Crescent . This is a real crying shame!

  4. When it comes to a heritage building of this significance, local authorities should have the right to repair / maintain the building and invoice the owner accordingly until such time as the owner finds either a use for it or a new owner who does.

  5. The dereliction of this historic building is a shocking disgrace to the city of Bath.
    My father was a pupil at King Edward’s School just prior to the beginning of the First World War. I would very much like to have the opportunity to see the building fully restored and to see the interior which my father would have known so well. All before it is allowed to collapse.
    Surely the local authority should have the right to compulsory purchase such an important building and it’s value to the history of Bath.

  6. I TOTALLY agree. It is shameful.
    We came to Bath in the late summer of 1990, and during the previous term I visited this building to see whether they had a space for our son in the Autumn Term.
    He started at KES in North Road in September 1990, which was when the junior school moved up there.
    So this Listed Building has lain uncared for for. 35 years. A disgrace. B&NES should compulsorily purchase it.

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