Christian church moves in to former swimming baths

FORMER inner-city swimming baths will be transformed into an international living faith church, following a deal overseen by commercial property agency Innes England.

The Winners Chapel – a branch of the Living Faith Church, a Christian denomination founded in 1983 – will be moving from its current home in Pelham Court, Carrington, to the site of the Noel Street Baths, in Forest Fields, after leasing 10,000 sq ft of space. 

The building’s old sports halls will be used as assembly space for church ceremonies and the former swimming pool will be transformed into a multi-purpose service area. 

Dr Chukwuemeka Uchenna Ikedi, who represents The Winners Chapel, said: “The church was set up in Nottingham in 2015 and we currently have around 200 members, which is expanding rapidly. 

“We were in need of a new building because of our growing congregation and the Noel Street site was perfect for us as it will allow us to increase our worship space and introduce new facilities, such as the multi-purpose service area.”

Noel Street Baths closed in 2010 after the opening of a swimming pool at Djanogly Community Leisure Centre, in Forest Fields. The closure came about as part of Nottingham City Council’s leisure transformation programme, which aimed to provide fewer, better leisure facilities. Noel Street Baths was the city’s least used leisure centre at the time. 

Part of the site was sold to the Nottingham Climbing Centre – which opened in 2011 – while the rest remained empty. It was refurbished and modernised by a private landlord earlier this year before it was let to the chapel. 

Ross Whiting, surveyor at Innes England, said: “Noel Street Baths is an interesting property that is rich with local history. Lots of people in Nottingham will have fond memories of the building as many were taught how to swim there.

“The building is in a good location and is well served by public links. The tram stop just 150 metres away, so it will suit many of the chapel’s congregation who are travelling from across Nottingham. 

“Noel Street Baths comes in two parts; the other was reopened in 2011 as the Nottingham Climbing Centre. This shows how versatile former leisure centres can be, allowing companies and projects to put their own personal spin on a building.”