Second bid submitted for multi-million-pound transformation of the former Erdington Baths site

Multi-million-pound plans to transform Erdington High Street will include turning the former Erdington baths site into a thriving hub for local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Last October, Birmingham City Council applied for more than £56-million from the Government's Levelling Up Fund - a £4.8-billion scheme designed to finance investment in infrastructure that improves everyday life through the regeneration of town centres. It was turned down.

With a second application having now been submitted hopes are high Erdington will now receive a cash injection and the Erdington baths project, being led by Witton Lodge Community Association, can begin to take shape.

Afzal Hussain, Chief Officer at Witton Lodge, said "Locally, we have achieved important milestones in our ambitious plans to turn the former Erdington baths on Mason Road into a thriving hub for local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“We were delighted to secure planning permission from the Council, and then received a timely boost from the West Midlands Combined Authority that has committed £2m towards the £5.5m overall project cost. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the Council’s bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund will be successful”.

Erdington MP, Paulette Hamilton, said it is vital her constituency gets the financial recognition it needs to help fulfil its potential to provide local residents and businesses with economic stability and success.

“These amazing plans have the potential to transform Erdington High Street and make it a destination again,” she said.

“The proposal to turn the former swimming baths site into a thriving business hub is exactly the sort of forward-thinking innovation we need in our area. Witton Lodge Community Association already do so much fantastic work in our community and I’m sure the new hub would bring enormous benefits for local people looking to develop their skills.

“Our High Street desperately needs this boost, and I’m crossing my fingers that Ministers will give it the green light.”