​Cash raised will transform baths

It became a symbol of one determined community’s struggle against Scotland’s most powerful local authority.

Now locals are being asked to invest in the iconic building they saved from closure.

Govanhill Community Baths Trust is releasing a community shares scheme to raise the final £300,000 of the £6.4 million needed to redevelop Govanhill Baths as a new health and wellbeing centre.

Shares will be open for purchase from September 22 to October 22.

Fatima Uygun, Trust Manager of Govanhill Baths Community Trust (GBCT), said: "Community Shares a great way for people to invest in local community assets.

"With 3% interest and a 30% tax break on shares they are also a great financial investment.

“We need this £300,000 to cross the final hurdle and move ahead with the creation of the Wellbeing Centre, owned and run by the people of Govanhill."

For almost two decades the community fought to save the historic baths on Calder Street after Glasgow City Council announced its closure in 2001,

A 30,000 signature petition was completed within a fortnight and led to the longest continuous occupation of a civic building in British history, which eventually succeeded in saving the building from demolition.

The B-listed building will have a gym, community café, community kitchen, hotdesk facilities for local businesses and meeting rooms.