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Maindee pool sold at auction
8:14am Friday 16th May 2008
NEWPORT'S landmark Maindee Swimming Baths were sold for just £76,000 at auction last night.
The art-deco building was snapped up for the bargain price after a short bidding war between three men at a public auction in the King's Hotel.
Auctioneers Newland Rennie Wilkins had expected the pool to sell for more than £100,000, and there were shocked gasps from the 40-strong audience when the hammer fell at £76,000, after bidders started showing interest at just £60,000.
The successful bidder was Adam Mandal, a 38-year-old father-of-one from Libeneth Road, Somerton, Newport.
Mr Mandal, who moved to Newport from Bangladesh twelve years ago, told the Argus he had not even planned to buy the derelict building, and only attended the auction to buy him and his wife a house.
But instead he became the owner of a half-acre site which includes the grade II listed former public swimming baths and an attached three-bedroom house.
After learning of the building's history, he said he now plans to turn it into a multi-cultural centre for community use.
Mr Mandal, a part-time waiter and budding property developer, said: "This is a big surprise for me. I want to reassure the community I won't change the original features."
Its listed status means Mr Mandal will be unable to change the building's front facade and the internal foyer areas because of their advance construction for their time and the period design features.
The pool, first opened in 1938, finally closed in December 2005, being replaced by the new pool at Spytty.
It suffered severe internal fire damage last year after twice being targeted by arsonists.
Residents demanded the council turn the derelict site into a community facility after the Argus asked people to suggest ideas for the building's future.
Several residents in the audience last night said they still fear the building could be lost to the community.
Your Say YourGwent
Mervyn James, says...
9:56am Fri 16 May 08
Man about Town, Newport says...
10:22am Fri 16 May 08
Ceri, says...
10:57am Fri 16 May 08
Man about Town, Newport says...
11:03am Fri 16 May 08
Man about Town, Newport says...
11:04am Fri 16 May 08
john, says...
11:05am Fri 16 May 08
This is what the Argus is about.
It would be rather boring if we all thought the same.
The landmarks in this country are a very important part of hour history.
Why do I disappoint you because I dont think like you?
Then you yourself are a sad individual.
Instead of naming yourself man about town you should start walking around town.
Man about Town, Newport says...
11:19am Fri 16 May 08
john wrote:Yeap, freedom of choice and having the right to say what you wish...i agree...but when it comes to attacking those from another country just because they are different, that's just evil butt! and if you'd like to come for a walk around my area of town you'd have your eyes opened a hell of a lot more, and just maybe a tiny bit of compassion and humanity my sneek into that bigoted head of yours!
Why is it disappointing for some one to have an opinion. This is what the Argus is about. It would be rather boring if we all thought the same. The landmarks in this country are a very important part of hour history. Why do I disappoint you because I dont think like you? Then you yourself are a sad individual. Instead of naming yourself man about town you should start walking around town.
Newportonian, newport says...
11:50am Fri 16 May 08
john, says...
11:51am Fri 16 May 08
So how can you tell me you're lonely,
and say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of Newport
I'll show you something to make you change your mind.
Im not attacking people because theyre different were all human.
Is it wrong for some one to like old buildings to stay British?
It does not have to come down to the same old your racist rubbish.
But iam curious as to what you could show me. I hope it includes a meal.
It could be a nice day out .
But I must listen to my mothers words and not go off with strangers
Man about Town, Newport says...
11:55am Fri 16 May 08
seren_night, newport says...
12:28pm Fri 16 May 08
Ceri wrote:afternoon! i see my good name(hee) is being used in a bad way again by someone who is either Ceri on or ceri this sound familiar ceri/on IF NOT THEN I APOLIGISE(not)People "harp on" about wildlife and reserves because they care about nature... We wouldn't need more housing if they stopped letting people into the UK and giving houses away!!! ceri on dated 9:18am Tue 6 May 08????eh????
Are you sure you are not 'Seren' 'Man about Town?
john, says...
12:40pm Fri 16 May 08
I no there is another john on here so not to confuse you.
Or to get the other john a ribbing, or being accused or racism
Jilted john
paul green, devon says...
12:55pm Fri 16 May 08
Simon, Newport says...
1:11pm Fri 16 May 08
I think it is fantastic news that the building was acquired so cheaply, as there will be more money available for the new owner to resurrect such a classic building!
I believe that it went so cheaply because its listed, and derelict, which will mean that the works to bring it back into use are likely to be extremely costly.
Its use as a public building is extremely desirable, and would hope that the centre is somewhere that any newport resident may feel welcome to reflect upon the history of the place and hopefully its restored glory!
paul green, devon says...
1:34pm Fri 16 May 08
lisaJ, newport says...
1:42pm Fri 16 May 08
Mr Bump., Newport West says...
2:18pm Fri 16 May 08
john, says...
2:39pm Fri 16 May 08
They tend to pull their resources out and help each other.
Thats why you find so many living under the same roof.
Or in larger house. They can afford the mortgage with a few working adults.
It is a shame about the Argus removing my post. Even though I try to defend myself about not being racist. Now it looks like my comment was deemed to be racist.
Why else would it be removed?
It is a shame in this country you cant talk open about things without some one getting the hump.
Now the post is missing it looks like I said something really racists.
Should not have these posts if the only time we can posts if it agrees with what you consider to be a good topic.
What did you want whoopee the baths have been sold for next to nothing.
Jilted j
Mollyjean, Newport says...
2:46pm Fri 16 May 08
ALF, newport gwent says...
2:55pm Fri 16 May 08
The Avon Lady, High Cross says...
7:50pm Fri 16 May 08
lisa, underwood says...
10:04pm Fri 16 May 08
Ceri, says...
11:39pm Fri 16 May 08
seren_night wrote:My apologies was purely sarcastic Seren....
Ceri wrote: Are you sure you are not 'Seren' 'Man about Town?afternoon! i see my good name(hee) is being used in a bad way again by someone who is either Ceri on or ceri this sound familiar ceri/on IF NOT THEN I APOLIGISE(not)People "harp on" about wildlife and reserves because they care about nature... We wouldn't need more housing if they stopped letting people into the UK and giving houses away!!! ceri on dated 9:18am Tue 6 May 08????eh????
Ceri, says...
11:55pm Fri 16 May 08
For me personally, I wish no harm on anybody or anything in life... it's just a shame that this has become a slanging match... which you win....... and when I said above I was being sarcastic, I guess I was to a certain degree, I let myself down for a moment...as you do tend to wind me up me on times....
I actually care about people, wildlife etc... just because of my opinion on certain topics differs from yours doesn't make me to be a horrible person....
I care, as you clearly do, but we express our views in a different manner...
john77, newport says...
12:19am Sat 17 May 08
Man about Town, Newport says...
11:33am Sat 17 May 08
The Avon Lady wrote:Here Here! a voice of reason at last
I have read the comments and i think quite a few are missing the point,it does not matter how much it was bought for,who bought it,or what they intend to do with it.It should be the fact the building has now been sold,it can be done up and now longer be an eyesore.Lets hope the man that has bought it will create a nice building,jobs and put a smile back into a run down building.
Man about Town, Newport says...
11:34am Sat 17 May 08
john wrote:I see from the above comments, and those that are clearly missing, that the forum complainants have been out in force, so can only imagine that this thread has been swamped by the racist pigs that Newport so famously harbours! see john the bogot, not just my opinion!
Your words remind me of a song. So how can you tell me you're lonely, and say for you that the sun don't shine? Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of Newport I'll show you something to make you change your mind. Im not attacking people because theyre different were all human. Is it wrong for some one to like old buildings to stay British? It does not have to come down to the same old your racist rubbish. But iam curious as to what you could show me. I hope it includes a meal. It could be a nice day out . But I must listen to my mothers words and not go off with strangers
naughty and nice, newport says...
12:44pm Sat 17 May 08
Mervyn James, says...
6:53pm Sat 17 May 08
The_Master, says...
11:40pm Sat 17 May 08
Personnely I would have preferred it to be open as a Swimming Bars, as thats what it's always been..
John, says...
1:08pm Sun 18 May 08
Simon wrote:I thought that I saw the words 'multicultural centre' mentioned.
I see from the above comments, and those that are clearly missing, that the forum complainants have been out in force, so can only imagine that this thread has been swamped by the racist pigs that Newport so famously harbours! I think it is fantastic news that the building was acquired so cheaply, as there will be more money available for the new owner to resurrect such a classic building! I believe that it went so cheaply because its listed, and derelict, which will mean that the works to bring it back into use are likely to be extremely costly. Its use as a public building is extremely desirable, and would hope that the centre is somewhere that any newport resident may feel welcome to reflect upon the history of the place and hopefully its restored glory!
I assume, (I will stand corrected if proved wrong)
that the centre will be frequented mostly by people who have no ancestry in the UK.
Like the other john, I look around me and wonder what has become of our once great nation.
People from other cultures are not on the whole interested in integrating into our society.
They have their own religion and are intolerant and insular in their thinking.
I think that the multicultural experiment has failed miserably, mainly, because it has gone too far. Many people now feel strangers in their own country. However, they are afraid to speak out because of the fear of being branded racist.
I would not bet on it that this building will be restored to its former glory.
Mervyn James, says...
3:13pm Sun 18 May 08
I don't want to get embroiled in the 'multiculturalism' claptrap because the concept is non-extant. Suffice to say the various ethnic groups in Newport are prepapred to work together to get things done, we, aren't. As it went very cheaply £76K, why didn't the local area stump up if they felt so strongly about it ? They are all talk and principle and not prepared to front up when push comes to shove, then, they will beg the taxpayers to do it ! Face it, there was no support to keep it going, or that help would have come.
paja1712, newport says...
11:31am Wed 21 May 08
And regarding comment from 'Alf', if somebody is from Bangladesh that doesn't always mean that they are muslim!!! Adam is christian and have no intention of opening Mosque!
And as it was mentioned before Asian families pull together and help each other, so if somebody is 'part time waiter' that doesnt mean he cant do what he would like with support?
And 'multicultural' doesnt mean just Asian?!! And people from other cultures are acctually intrested in integrating into your society(speak for myself) and you might be suprise John, but some of them have "same religion".
We just have to wait and see and in the meantime try to help please, not critizise.
Thank you...
Mervyn James, says...
9:57am Fri 23 May 08
Mervyn James, says...
10:01am Fri 23 May 08
Malcolm, Newport says...
6:40pm Sat 24 May 08
Baths building, which,
let us be honest, is
hardly top class Art-
Deco. A happy ending
for most Newport residents would be de-
listing and demolition,
and free picture postcards for those who regard it with
nostalgia...and may the new owner and his
family be comfortable
in their bargain 3 bed
home.
Your sayYourGwent
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matt e, comments says...
9:44am Fri 16 May 08