Droitwich News

Residents send out clear message in brine bath consultation results

2:25pm Thursday 18th March 2010

MAJOR support has been shown for Droitwich keeping it’s ‘spa town’ identity with the development of a new brine bath leisure complex.

The strong message from residents comes from opinions gathered following the recent Brine Bath Consultation exercise carried out by Wychavon District Council’s Brine Bath Task Force. The results of the consultation have now been released by the council.

The initial feedback shows strong town support for the development of a brine bath as part of a wider leisure complex, which would be aimed at visitors as well as Spa people.

Consultation workshops, exhibitions and an online survey held during February resulted in the completion of 256 questionnaires, including 27 from Droitwich High School students.

Analysis of the questionnaire shows that 95% felt it was important for Droitwich Spa to have a new brine facility, 85% supported a brine water bath/pool as the most important potential replacement option, 70% felt this should be part of a wider leisure complex and 88% felt that new brine facilities need to be targeted at both a combination of visitors and locals.

It was the town’s ‘spa’ identity that people felt was the most important reason to ensure such a facility available in Droitwich.

Councillor Tom McDonald, chairman of the Brine Baths Task Force, said: “I am very pleased that so many people took the time and effort to participate in the Brine Baths consultation. As a result the task force has a clear and strong message on what local people would like to see happen. We will now work with potential investors to try and turn this into reality.”

The Task Force was established by Wychavon District Council in September 2009 following the closure by BMI Healthcare of the Droitwich Brine Baths.

Wychavon District Council secured a fund of £200,000 from BMI Healthcare to support a new brine facility when the baths were closed. This fund will be used with any new investment that can be secured for a future development.

A full copy of the consultation results can be found on www.wychavon.gov.uk and searching for “consultations”.

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