Popular Harrogate swimming pool built in Victorian era will close for maintenance work

A much-loved Victorian swimming pool in Harrogate where so many of the town’s youngsters have learned to swim over the last 150 years is to close temporarily again.

By Graham Chalmers

Published 5th Jan 2024, 13:37 BST

Updated 5th Jan 2024, 13:37 BST

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Chris Watt of Starbeck Residents Association reports that Starbeck Baths, which was built in 1870, is closed for a week for planned maintenance.

This popular community facility, which is located on Spa Lane, was forced to close last March when an air leak was discovered in the pool’s plant equipment causing poor water clarity.

Owned by Brimham Active, a company set up by Harrogate Borough Council to run public pools and leisure centres in the district, there was concern over its possible permanent closure in 2020 – unfounded as it turned out – when the idea was floated of a new, better pool and leisure centre in Knaresborough.

The same year saw Starbeck Baths temporarily closed due to the Covid pandemic and an issue with pool filters.

The pool is expected to reopen to the public on Thursday, January 11.

Harrogate Victorian Harrogate Borough Council Knaresborough