Lottery support for Jacobs Wells revamp
Booklet produced as part of 2017 heritage project with Local Learning
Trinity has been awarded a development grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the next phase of works as part of our ambitious restoration project to save Jacobs Wells Baths
“This investment acts as a vital next step toward reviving this cherished Bristol asset, and I’m thrilled with the progress Trinity Community Arts has made on the project since being awarded the lease to the building." Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council
Trinity is excited to announce we have been awarded a £252k Development Phase grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to continue the restoration of Jacobs Wells Baths in Hotwells, Bristol. This grant will help advance plans to restore the Grade II Listed building alongside developing an engagement and participation plan for community and youth activities.
Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding will empower the local community to shape the next phase of the project, focusing on the voices of young people, city-wide arts networks and local residents. As part of this development phase, Trinity will work with local groups to create a new programme of heritage learning opportunities, building on past community-driven projects such as Washing In The Well, delivered with support from Local Learning.
Jacobs Wells Baths has a rich history, dating back to 1889, when it served as a public swimming bath and in the 80s, became Bristol’s only dedicated professional dance centre. The next phase of the project will include design work for the North Wing of the building, to support plans to apply for a £2m+ grant from National Lottery Heritage Fund to complete the site's transformation into a new hub for Hotwells.
Join the team
To help facilitate this exciting development, Trinity is seeking a full-time Heritage Project Manager to join the team lead the development phase of the project, with a focus on managing community engagement, overseeing stakeholder relationships, supporting design team consultation and creating a learning and participation activity plan to be delivered in 2026 alongside the phase 2 capital works.
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the restoration of Jacobs Wells Baths take another big step forward thanks to this new round of funding. The baths hold immense historic and cultural value, not only for the people of Hotwells but for Bristol as a whole, having served the community in various forms for over a century.
“This investment acts as a vital next step toward reviving this cherished Bristol asset, and I’m thrilled with the progress Trinity Community Arts has made on the project since being awarded the lease to the building. As work continues, I look forward to collaborating with them further as we strive to protect the baths’ legacy and invest in its future.”
Fidel Meraz, Trustee, Trinity Community Arts, said: "We are delighted to have received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, a pivotal milestone in our mission to revitalise Jacobs Wells Baths as a dynamic community-centred heritage building. Backing from The National Lottery Heritage Fund at this crucial stage strengthens our efforts and highlights the cultural and social significance of preserving and repurposing architectural heritage for community benefit."
Pledge your support
While this latest grant offer is a significant step forward, we still need to raise vital match funding to unlock the full potential of this ambitious recovery effort. To help achieve this, we have launched a Fundsurfer appeal to give the community an opportunity to pledge their support to saving Jacobs Wells Baths. Every donation, no matter the size, will help us reimagine a bright new future for this historic building. Visit our Fundsurfer page and be part of this exciting journey to revive a much-loved community space.
