Public Baths Hyde Road and Queen’s Road Gorton

GORTON BATHS COMPETITION - I have a note from the clerk to the local board of Gorton, bearing date Dec. 14th, I888, stating that: Mr. Maybury, surveyor to the adjoining township of Levenshulme, has been awarded the 1st position; Mr. Macleod, of Manchester, 2nd; Mr. J. C. Prestwich, of Leigh, 3rd ; and Mr. Cheers, Twickenham, 4th.  [Building News 11 January 1889 page 88]

GORTON MANCHESTER -New public baths are about to be erected for the Gorton Local Board at the corner of Queen's Road and Hyde Road. The architect is Mr T H Maybury, Booth Street, Manchester, whose design was selected from among 37 received in competition. The front elevation of the baths is 84 feet long, and will be carried out in brick, with dressings of stone- and terracotta, with central tower, flanked by two gables with terracotta pediments. The first-class and second-class swimming baths have separate entrances. There is a provision on the first-class swimming bath front for five slipper baths, and space for six others to be added hereafter. The swimming bath is 75 feet by 25 feet, and is 6 feet deep at one end, with a gradual rise to 3 feet at the opposite end. Dressing-boxes are provided for 54 bathers. A gallery extends around the bath for the use of spectators, to which a separate entrance will be provided. The bath will hold 52,582 gallons of water. This second-class bath is 60 feet by 25 feet, with water capacity of 41,066 gallons. Like the first-class bath, it will be 6 feet deep at one end and 3 feet at the other.  The dressing-boxes are 42 in number. A preliminary bath is provided, 8 feet by 3 feet 6 inches. There are also in this department 10 second-class slipper baths. [Building News 23 August 1889 page 273]

OPENING OF GORTON PUBLIC BATHS. On Saturday afternoon the now public baths which have been erected at the junction of Hyde-road and Queens-road, Gorton, were formally opened by Mr. Charles Jennison, chairman the Gorton Local Board. The baths have been erected, at a cost of about £4,500, from designs of Mr. J. H. Maybury, architect, of this city, and are intended to provide for the accommodation of a population numbering something like 40,000. They are built in the Renaissance style, and present a very pleasing appearance from the outside. Internally every provision has been made for the convenience of those using the baths. [Manchester Courier - Saturday 5 July 1890 page 18]

GORTON PUBLIC BATHS - New public baths for the district of Gorton were opened on Saturday. They are very conveniently situated at the junction of Queen's Road with Hyde Road. Outwardly the building (which was designed by Mr J H Maybury of this city) is constructed of red brick, and though in its plan, which is after the Italian Renaissance, use has rather been studied than elaboration, it is neat and pleasing in appearance. The interior contains, besides the necessary offices and a large waiting room, a first class plunge bath, 75 feet by 25 feet and five first class slipper baths. Above the plunge bath, a gallery for spectators runs entirely round the walls. The are also a second class plunge bath 60 feet by 25 feet and 15 second-class slipper baths, all excellently fitted. The large baths have been lined with white glazed brick with blue lines; the entrances are wide, the roof high and light, and the white interior clean and tasteful. The cost has been £4,700. [Manchester Guardian 1 July 1890 page 9]

NEW PUBLIC BATHS FOR GORTON. The baths which have been erected by the Gorton Local Board, at the junction of Hyde-road and Queen's road, Gorton, were opened yesterday (Saturday) by County Councillor Charles Jennison. The building, a handsome one in the Italian Renaissance style, is of brick with terracotta dressings, and has been built from designs by Mr. J. H. Maybury, architect, of Manchester. The chief feature of the structure is a lofty water tower. There are 20 slipper baths, with suitable waiting rooms. The first-class swimming bath is 60 feet long and 25 feet wide, the second-class plunge bath measuring 75 feet by 25 feet. These baths, which have been provided for a population of 40,000, have coat something like £4,500. There was a large attendance at the opening ceremony, and the building and district were decorated with bunting. A swimming gala was afterwards held; under the presidency of Mr. L. Higginbottom, chairman of the Baths Committee. [Empire News and The Umpire - Sunday 29 June 1890 page 5]

Reference    Building News 11 January 1889 page 88 – competition results
Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 30 March 1889 Page 4 (Contracts)
Reference    Building News 14 June 1889 page viii  – tenders
Reference    Building News 23 August 1889 page 273
Reference    Manchester Guardian 1 July 1890 page 9 – opening.
Reference    Manchester Courier - Saturday 5 July 1890 page 18
Reference    Empire News and The Umpire - Sunday 29 June 1890 page 5