Introduction to Withington Baths
I am sitting opposite Paul Smith, the managing director of Withington Baths, in the basement under the pool, you could feel the lively energy around us. The low hum of a generator filled the air, and we could hear the happy shouts of kids having swimming lessons upstairs drifting down through the vents. Surrounded by the sturdy red bricks of the Edwardian building, I wonder about all the stories they could tell, but we are ready to chat about the baths’ history and why they mean so much to the community.
In 1911, against Manchester’s flourishing industrial landscape and the ever-increasing mass migration of people from rural areas, Withington Baths was built. Along with twenty other baths across the city, they were constructed to allow working families access to a crucial amenity: clean water for personal hygiene in an era when such luxuries were scarce.
Withington Baths stood among a network of similar baths across Manchester, reflecting a blend of philanthropy and commercial pragmatism from the Edwardian Industrialists who built them. As industrialists and the Manchester Cooperation invested in these baths, they aimed to uplift communities by providing affordable places across the city that promoted health and well-being among the working people.
Withington Baths was also a trailblazer during this period, back in 1914, the baths became the first swimming pool in Manchester to offer mixed-gender swimming to the public. On Thursday 16th July 1914, The Manchester Evening News reported: “From nearly every point of view the first day of the mixed bathing experiment at Withington baths was a great success. All day a steady flow of bathers passed in and out of the baths, and when the premises closed, an hour later than usual, it was found that 641 people had paid for admission.”
However, over the decades, with popularity declining many of these historic baths started to close and vanish from their communities, succumbing to changing times and urban development.
In 2013, Withington Baths was the last working Edwardian bath in Manchester, but its legacy was under threat. The local council announced plans to shut the baths, alongside Chorlton baths, as part of a broader scheme to consolidate facilities and cut costs. So, with the doors about to close on this important local institution, the Withington community decided to step in.
Saving Withington Baths: A Community’s Fight to Preserve a Local Landmark
In 2013, the council dropped the bombshell: they planned to close Withington Baths along with Chorlton Baths and construct a large leisure centre between them, known as Hough End Leisure Centre. “The idea was to knock down both smaller centres and build a big one in the middle,” Paul explains. The prospect of losing the baths did not sit well with the community. “We weren’t thrilled,” Paul recalls. “We understood the budget constraints due to government austerity measures, but losing something so important to the community didn’t sit right.”
The significance of Withington Baths went beyond just being a swimming facility. “One of the great things about the baths was that it was right here in Withington,” Paul reflects. “You could go to the shops or have a coffee, and then go for a swim, without having to get into a car or take a bus.” The proposed alternative, Hough End, posed logistical challenges. “Hough End is not that far away, but it’s on the other side of the busiest road in Manchester,” Paul notes. “You can’t cross that road easily, especially with young kids.”
Moreover, Withington Baths was a bustling hub of community activity. “It was a well-used centre, a place where I met lots of people while watching my kids swim,” Paul shares. The uncertainty surrounding the baths’ future added to the community’s concerns. “They didn’t have a proposed purpose for it at the time,” Paul explains. “With buildings of this age, if they lie empty for six months, that’s it. With no purpose, nothing would have happened, and it would have ended up being knocked down for certain.”
In response, the community rallied to keep the baths open. “We all kind of got together to try to keep it open,” Paul recounts. “We used petitions, marches, and eventually managed to get the council to agree not to close it straight away.” This led to the formation of Love Withington Baths, a charity that took over the management of the leisure centre in June 2015. “I felt it was fundamentally wrong to close the baths,” Paul reflects. “I couldn’t just stand by and see it happen.”
Paul’s involvement in saving the baths stemmed from his background in the leisure sector. “I had some understanding of how these facilities worked,” he says. “I thought I could help in a limited way.” Eventually, Paul became the chair of Love Withington Baths and led discussions with the council. “When we eventually took control of the baths, I started as a volunteer for two years,” Paul recalls. “But then, when it turned into a proper job, I decided to dedicate my time fully to running the baths.”
Having successfully saved Withington Baths from closure, Paul and his team embarked on a journey to transform it into a thriving community asset. Their dedication and hard work have turned the baths into a vital hub for Withington, providing not just swimming facilities, but also a space for community gatherings, fitness classes, and social activities. In the next section, we will delve into how Paul and his team have breathed new life into the baths, making it an essential part of the fabric of Withington’s community.
How Community, Affordability and Staff Drive Success at Withington Baths:
Since Pual and the team took over Withington Baths from the council, they have turned the baths into a successful leisure centre that is the beating heart of the community. I talked to Paul about their commitment to community engagement, affordability, and staff welfare and how they have been the cornerstones of their success.
Community:
Withington Baths, main focus is that it is a community-facing organisation, always striving to place a strong emphasis on providing services and activities that resonate with its members. They understand that success starts by meeting the basic expectations of cleanliness and timely operations. As Paul aptly puts it, “It’s not rocket science but it’s really, really important.”
Their deep integration within the community fuels their ability to understand and meet the diverse needs of their members. Constantly striving to keep their members happy, they excel in listening to member feedback and incorporating suggestions into their offerings:
“Being able to provide what the community wants is a massive factor for us. If you can do that, then your business will work.”
Paul tells me about their diverse membership base, made up of students, families, retirees and young professionals and the success they had in honing their ability to provide a wide range of activities tailored to different preferences and schedules:
“When we took over from the council in 2015, we had 18 classes a week. We inherited a standardised model that delivered these classes from six till nine Monday to Friday and nine till 12 on a Saturday that was their program, and they did it everywhere across the city and they were mainly Box fit, and that sort of thing. We now have 125 classes per week, such as Yoga at seven in the morning. Then it doesn’t stop right the way through until nine o’clock.
Because that’s what people want, you know, students are not in all the time, people are working from home now. Some people are retired and want to come to a certain class. Just putting them all after work, is only appealing to the people who work nine to five. So, we just listened, and it wasn’t immediate, we started by doing one class in the morning and then it became two classes in the mornings and then we wanted one at lunchtime. Over those eight years, we’ve increased our classes to 1 25 per week.”
While listening, I can’t pretend to not be impressed by how Withington Baths have been transformed into such a successfully run leisure centre in such a short period. This is a true testament to their dedication to meeting the needs of their community.
Affordability:
Paul also discussed with me about the importance of affordability. He acknowledges the ongoing challenge of keeping prices as low as possible. Despite facing hurdles such as utility price increases due to market volatility, Withington Baths remains committed to ensuring that they remain accessible to everyone in their community. As Paul explains, “We do not increase prices to make more profit because we’ve got nothing to do with it. The profits either go back into people or back into the building.” This reflects their dedication to prioritising the needs of their members and maintaining the integrity of the baths.
Staff:
At Withington Baths, their staff also play a crucial role in their success, and it all started in their commitment to being a real living wage employer from the outset. By paying their staff the real living wage rather than the minimum wage, they not only attract better talent but also alleviate financial stress for their employees. As Paul explains, “We have always paid our staff the real living wage as opposed to the minimum wage. And that means we get better staff, but it also means that our staff are not worried as much about paying household bills.”
At the baths, they also take pride in their local workforce, with a huge portion coming from within a kilometre of the baths. This local presence ensures that people get to work on time, but also much more importantly, they serve as an asset in community engagement. Paul highlights the importance of this, “They are our voice out in the community, telling people about us, what goes on here, whether that be people in their house or their neighbours about it.”
They also serve as ears to the ground, providing invaluable feedback from the community and helping address any concerns or suggestions, ensuring continuous improvement. As Paul notes, “They are also our ears in the community. So, positive feedback we are hearing about it, any negative feedback, we’re hearing about it.” This local approach not only fosters belonging with the community but also enables Withington Baths to maintain a strong connection with its members. Withington Baths thrive on three pillars: community engagement, affordability and their staff. By actively involving the community, keeping prices reasonable and prioritising fair wages for their employees, they have built a strong foundation for success. However, like many businesses across the UK Withington Baths faces the challenge of a volatile energy market, an unpredictable factor beyond their control. The fluctuations in recent years have posed threats to these pillars of success. It was during these challenging times that Invew stepped in to help.
Navigating a Fluctuating Energy Market with Withington Baths
Dealing with the Energy Market, like many businesses across the UK, has been a rollercoaster ride for Withington Baths, due to many factors outside of their control, such as the Ukraine Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Before these upheavals, securing an energy supplier was primarily a matter of finding the best price through tender processes. According to Paul, “It was quite easy to say well, that is lower than that. That was the decision. So that was quite straightforward.”
However, the situation changed dramatically with the onset of market volatility that led to significant price rises, made worse by factors such as geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties. As Paul reflects, “It’s not just about price now, but it’s also about understanding what might happen in six months.” With longer-term contracts becoming less predictable, the Baths had to reassess their strategy to ensure financial stability.
Energy represents one of the most substantial cost lines for Withington Baths, making up a huge portion of their operational expenses. As Paul highlights, “Managing our energy costs is crucial for the Baths, as it directly impacts our ability to remain affordable and continue serving the community.” This means that fluctuations in energy prices can have a profound effect on their budget and operational capacity.
The financial implications of getting the right energy deal are essential for the baths. Paul elaborates, “If we manage to get our gas or electric purchasing right and save a substantial amount, it opens up opportunities for us to reinvest those savings back into the community.” Indeed, reducing energy costs can translate into the ability to offer free sessions or undertake essential repairs and maintenance.
This complexity also extends beyond just cost implications; for Withington Baths it is about aligning energy procurement with broader sustainability goals. Paul emphasises the importance of working with energy companies that have genuine green credentials, stating, “We want to be working more and more with energy companies that have proper Green credentials.” To navigate these complexities, Withington Baths sought not just a broker but a strategic partner like Invew, to help craft an energy procurement strategy that balances cost efficiency, risk management, and sustainability objectives. As they adapt to the evolving energy landscape, their approach underscores a broader shift towards a more nuanced and strategic approach to energy procurement.
Withington Baths and Invew: A Partnership for the Future
With Invew, Withington Baths found more than just a broker; they discovered a strategic partner committed to their long-term success. The relationship with us has proven invaluable in navigating the challenges of the energy market’s volatility.
When market volatility struck, Withington Baths turned to us for guidance. With the market becoming less predictable our relationship became invaluable. Paul emphasises the importance of our collaboration, stating. “With the current state of the market, where short-term completely cost-based decisions, could potentially hurt you in the future, being able to properly understand how to get the best long-term financial security for the baths with energy had become more difficult, but Invew was there to help.”
Regular advice and insights have empowered Withington Baths to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing market. As Paul puts it, “We investigated all these complexities that I was just not aware of and formulated the best strategy for the Baths. With Invew and Spencer’s (their account manager) help, we feel we are safely heading in the right direction for energy security.”
Moreover, we have helped Withington Baths develop a long-term energy procurement plan that prioritises cost efficiency, risk management, and sustainability. We have crafted a strategy that ensures long-term energy security while aligning with their sustainability goals.
The partnership with Invew has been instrumental in helping Withington Baths secure cheap energy, gain regular advice, and develop a long-term safe energy procurement plan. As they continue to navigate the volatile energy market, their relationship with us remains a cornerstone of their strategy for success.
What would Withington Baths tell someone considering working with Invew?
To finish this interview, I want to find out what Paul and his team most appreciate about our relationship and what they would tell someone also considering collaborating with us.
When partnering with us for energy procurement, Paul tells us that Withington Baths speaks from a place of trust and confidence: “The biggest thing is the trust we have in Invew. We feel a lot of trust in terms of what they say.” This trust is not merely a matter of convenience but a fundamental aspect of our collaboration. Knowing that we thoroughly evaluate options and present information in an accessible format instils confidence in the Baths’ decision-making process.
For Withington Baths, the value of collaborating with us extends beyond securing the best deal; it’s about freeing up valuable time and resources to focus on other aspects of their operations. Paul emphasises, “The deal that Invew puts forward is the best deal, then I can decide, fine, that’s the best deal, and then I can spend my time doing other things.” This streamlined approach allows the Baths to make informed decisions with peace of mind, knowing that their energy procurement is in capable hands.
Moreover, Withington Baths appreciates our personalised and straightforward communication style. Paul highlights, “Invew presents information to me in a format that I understand.” This clear and concise communication ensures that the Baths can grasp the intricacies of energy procurement without feeling overwhelmed or confused.
How Invew can help you:
We are committed to being more than just an energy broker; we aim to be your strategic partner in navigating the complexities of the energy market. Our dedication to building trust and providing clear, actionable insights means you can rely on us for thoroughly evaluated options and straightforward communication. By partnering with us, you gain not only access to the best energy deals but also the peace of mind that comes with knowing your energy procurement is managed by experts. This allows you to focus on your core business operations while we develop and oversee a long-term, cost-efficient, and sustainable energy strategy tailored to your needs. Let Invew be the cornerstone of your energy procurement strategy and experience the benefits of a trusted, efficient, and transparent partnership.
In short:
- We have operated in the energy market since 2006, which has given us in-depth knowledge of the market, enabling us to navigate complex pricing structures and identify the best deals tailored to your Business’s specific needs
- We are experts in negotiating with suppliers and securing competitive rates
- We will streamline the contract process, saving you valuable time and effort
- We are always on hand throughout the length of your contract should there be a query or dispute with the supplier
Reach out and speak to one of our experts about your business’s energy, completely free, get in contact with us.
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