A 1930s bath house in Hackney Wick will remain open as a not-for-profit space following an agreement for a popular sauna company to take on management of the building.
Social enterprise Community Sauna Baths launched their flagship Hackney Wick venue at the Bath House in 2021, before expanding to new sites across London.
A new agreement with Hackney Council will now see them take on the management of the full building at the Bath House, with a remit to protect the various small and independent businesses based there and ensure it continues to be run in the interests of the community.
Alongside nearby Trowbridge Gardens, the Bath House was one of two underused Council-owned buildings repurposed to protect space for creative enterprises and independent business in the face of major change taking place across Hackney Wick.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said: “Community Sauna Baths is a fantastic organisation that has shown how to put social good and wellbeing first – it’s great to see the team working collaboratively to ensure the Bath House meets its full potential.
“The Bath House is a vital community and creative space for Hackney Wick and, despite recent uncertainty, it has always been our commitment to keep it that way.
“I’m really happy that we can now provide a secure future to the organisations based there and for people in Hackney Wick.”
Charlie Duckworth, co-director of Community Sauna Baths commented: “We’re grateful to Hackney Council for their vision and commitment in securing the future of The Bath House. Thanks to their support, this vital community space is now protected for the long term – not only for our sauna but for the many small businesses, creatives, and neighbours who bring the building to life.
“For the past four years, The Bath House has been our home – the place where we grew from one sauna in the backyard to five sites across London.
“We’re deeply grateful to the community that has supported us on that journey, and thankful that our flagship sauna will remain here in Hackney Wick, at the heart of the neighbourhood where it all began.”
