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Bid for historic baths promises new arts centre scheme

Aberdeen City Council has selected a preferred bidder for the Bon Accord Baths building, which could see it transformed into a stylish new art deco arts centre.

Finance and Management Committee members unanimously selected the bid from the Carpe Diem Trust, a consortium of local professional people and business men and women, who aim to turn the 1930s building into a commercially operated, unsubsidised centre for artistic, community and business activities.

Carpe Diem proposes to create a centre in which people of all ages can come and be inspired by visual and performance arts, live music, theatre, cultural festivals, community and church programmes, exhibitions, keynote speakers and spectator sports events.

The trust wants to forge partnerships with local artists, galleries and a range of other organisations to create a versatile space where people’s lives are enriched through innovative cultural, educational and school programmes.

Its proposal would see the former baths become a new home for theatre, art and dance studios, a music recording studio and practice rooms for up-and-coming artists. The building could also host half-term holiday clubs for children and workshops for people of all generations, disabilities or backgrounds.

Carpe Diem says the venue will be an inviting place to meet up and socialise or do business. There will be a cafe, a bar/restaurant and lounges, with bespoke event catering available in large function rooms in the front building or in the main auditorium. The building would also provide an exciting and affordable venue for businesses conferences, exhibitions and entertaining.

The trusts says the development would create around 50 full and part-time jobs at managerial, technical, clerical and hospitality levels, along with work experience placements and voluntary work.

Chris Wood, of the Carpe Diem Trust, said: “We were all very excited when we were officially informed that Aberdeen City Council had unanimously agreed that Carpe Diem’s bid was their preferred choice.

“Our proposal is to create a public arts centre within the former Bon Accord Baths. It will be run as a commercial, self-supporting and private venture. As a much loved, world-class building of significant historical interest, we believe it needs to regain its status by being brought up to 21st century standards, whilst maintaining its original character and charm.

“The building is in many ways a work of art, with a unique art deco style. With maximised use of natural light, symmetrical design and open space of cathedral-like proportions, it is a stimulating environment which cries out to be utilised by the public as a creative, cultural, community and business space.

“Carpe Diem Trust believes our broad vision will bring it back to life, utilise its untapped potential, and make it accessible to the wider community in Aberdeen, the rest of the UK and beyond as a world-wide attraction to international tourist and business communities alike.”

Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Director Gordon McIntosh said: “I wish Carpe Diem every success with their exciting proposal, which is perfectly in tune with the planning brief which the City Council has agreed for the site.

“The west end of the city centre has seen many new commercial developments recently. This new proposal will, of course, be subject to a planning application and all the normal planning processes – but the provision of a new public arts centre looks like a perfect fit for the area, which would complement an area of the city centre which is becoming more and more vibrant.”

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