Public Baths

Cheshire Street Public Baths was the first building erected under the Baths and Washhouses Acts of Queen Victoria. It was built by Bethnal Green Borough Council in 1898-99 to provide their first public facilities for washing both bodies and clothes.

The public laundry and washhouse had separate entrances. This sign marked the entrance to the public laundry on Abbey Street, and the public baths on Cheshire Street.

The architect R. Stephen Ayling specialised in social works such as hostels, abbatoirs and public conveniences. His design was praised for providing space for prams, 'in which the washers usually bring their linen. In most of the London baths this been omitted, with the result that the waiting halls are often impassable.'

The 1962 Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London lists Cheshire Street as a branch institution to Old Ford Road (now York Hall). 'This branch institution has suites of private warm baths for both sexes, and a Machine and Hand Laundry, comprising 6 washing machines, hydro-extractors, washing machines, and mangling and ironing room.' Accordiing to the same report, 'the majority of housing units in Bethnal Green have no bathroom, and the laundering facilities in most of these houses are inadequate.It is submitted that the relatively extensive Baths facilities provided in the Borough satisfy a real need, which is evidenced by the number of users.'

The improvement in housing and increased use of home bathrooms and washing facilities along with a change in demographic meant that public baths saw a decline in use. Cheshire Street Public Baths closed in the 1970s. The Bath House, as the Grade II listed building became known, became the home of Repton Boxing Club, London's oldest boxing gym, as well as apartments.