Specialist place and development advisors, Fourth Street, who have been appointed to help with the renovation of Swindon's Grade II Health Hydro have said they are 'delighted'. 

The firm has worked on some of the UK's largest and most significant heritage projects including Alexandra Palace, the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre and St George’s Park, home of the English FA.

Plans for the refurbishment of the former Victorian baths and dispensary on Milton Road will now be handled by a consortium led by them.

Read: Next stage of £6.5million Health Hydro restoration goes ahead

Jim Roberts, Director of Fourth Street, added: “We are delighted to be supporting the Council and its partners in developing and delivering this ambitious and strategic project for Swindon.

“The Health Hydro’s Grade II* listing not only acknowledges its heritage significance but also the importance of its social value and history and the vision for its restoration will strongly reflect this.

“The team we have assembled will drive forward the re-development of this symbolic and much-loved building so that it can once again be at the heart of social, cultural and economic life in Swindon.”

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So far, £1.5m in funding has already been committed by Swindon Borough Council for its restoration and Swindon’s Town Deal Board will soon submit a business case for a further £5m from the Government’s Towns Fund.

Now that Fourth Street are on board they can move forward with the first phase of the project which will involve the submission of a business case by Swindon’s Town Deal Board.

If that is approved, phase two will begin which will see detailed design work and delivery of the renovation by March 2024.

Councillor Robert Jandy, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “Fourth Street has a really impressive track record and I’m really pleased we will have them on board when the refurbishment of this amazing building gets underway.

“While we’re still a few months off physical work starting, this appointment is a key step to making sure the Health Hydro remains true to its historic roots and provides an amazing health and leisure experience for its visitors.”

The Health Hydro is one of six projects identified by the Board for a share of the £19.5m allocated to Swindon from the Government’s Towns Fund.

The Council is leading on the investment of over £100m in town centre projects over the next four years, the majority of which has been secured through successful funding bids to central government.

The Heritage Action Zone brings support and £1.6m funding from Historic England to revitalise the Railway Village where the Health Hydro is located.