Macclesfield Baths and Wash-houses

At Macclesfield, where the population is nearly the same as that of York, Public Baths and Wash- Houses have been erected under the superintendence of Mr. James Stevens, the Architect and Engineer, who has kindly sent us the following description of the buildings, with full particulars of the outlay and receipts:

There are Swimming Baths for each sex, the one for the males, is 84 feet by 18 feet; that for the females, 18 feet by 11; the first contains about 16,200 gallons of water the latter 4,000 gallons. There are 3 first and 3 second class private Baths— also a vapour Bath, and a large family Bath, for each sex— making in the whole, 16 private Baths. There are suitable dressing closets, and waiting rooms, for each sex, to plunge and private baths.  The Washing department contains 14 distinct washing closets -  (six of which have been erected lately, to meet the call from respectable families) To each woman, there are allotted two tubs— one for washing, the other for boiling the clothes by steam. They are also accommodated with wringing machines, drying room and ironing room, on the newest and most approved principles. There is, likewise, an apparatus, for supplying the requisite water, steam, &c, to the establishment" The whole of the buildings, including a spacious yard, for coals,  cover an area of 760 yards. The cost of the building,  was about  £ 2,700, including fittings of every kind. The establishment has been open six months, and has succeeded beyond all expectation. Indeed, Mr Stevens, the architect, who had considerable experience at Liverpool, before the erection of the Public Baths, etc, at Macclesfield, says "Any such establishment, worked with care, will pay ten per cent, upon the outlay."

Reference           York Herald 3 August 1850 page 5