[Revenue from the Roman Baths supports vulnerable people across B&NES]
Here’s a press release from B&NES that takes some reading, but really doesn’t contain much in the way of detail.
It’s all about an ” ambitious new plan setting out how culture can boost health and wellbeing, strengthen local communities, support the creative economy and enhance the visitor experience across the district” that has been agreed by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The Cultural Development Plan emphasises the role that culture has in bringing communities together across Bath, Keynsham, the Somer Valley and rural areas.
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of the Council, said: “Culture shapes the places we live, supports our wellbeing and brings communities together. This plan will help to ensure that more culture happens in more places across our district for the benefit of all our residents.
It sets out a clear and practical commitment to working with partners, organisations and residents to ensure culture is accessible to everyone —wherever they live in the district — and means that some of our most important cultural organisations will get the support they need to prosper.
“By investing in our cultural infrastructure and celebrating the creativity and heritage that make our area distinctive, we are preparing for the future and creating opportunities for all.”
The plan was developed following extensive consultation with more than 60 local cultural organisations and individuals. It highlights plans for collaborative working with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Visit West, local museums, libraries, community organisations and the wider creative sector.
The council is a very significant participant in the cultural sector, most notably through Heritage Services. Alongside the Cultural Development Plan, the new Heritage Services Business Plan sets out how the council will adapt to the challenging economic landscape. This includes attracting more international visitors through travel‑trade partnerships and boosting domestic visits.
In the operation of the Roman Baths, Heritage Services delivers significant income, which is returned to the council to support the most vulnerable people across Bath and North East Somerset. The service also prioritises direct social value through its community engagement activities, which will continue to be a priority and will deliver significant health and wellbeing, learning and volunteering opportunities.
The plan also sets out the ongoing work undertaken by the council to deliver the Fashion Museum Bath. Huge progress has been made over the past year, and 2026 will see extensive work undertaken on fundraising and the detailed design of the new museum and the surrounding public realm.
Supporting all of this work, Heritage Services’ new Sustainability Action Plan sets out how the service will respond to the climate emergency and ecological emergency. It outlines a clear approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving climate resilience and ensuring the city’s internationally recognised heritage can continue to be enjoyed long into the future.
All three documents can be viewed on the council’s website.
NB. That’s something that will take a while to find! Would love to know more with regards to the new Fashion Museum and how 2026 “will see extensive work undertaken on fundraising”, and also no mention of a possible Tourist Tax? I hear the Council Leader has been up to Number 10 to talk about it.
