At a meeting of the Council on the 28th September, 1852, the Baths Committee were instructed to consider the advisability of providing a second suite of baths in the town and the district selected was that of the Duddeston Ward or in its immediate neighbourhood.
A site for this purpose situated between Woodcock Street and Duke Street was finally chosen and in due course the foundation stone of the Woodcock Street Baths was laid on the 25th July, 1859 and on the 27th August, 1860, the buildings were opened to the public.
The design of the building was in the Gothic style of architecture and of red brick with blue brick plinth and stone dressings, string courses and coping.
The original accommodation included a large Swimming Bath and suites of Private Baths for Men and Women, each with a small Plunge Bath.
Additions up to the year 1902 were a First Class Swimming Bath and suites of First Class Private Baths and a Steam Laundry, the latter to ease the position at the Kent Street Laundry in dealing with the increased requirements of the remaining establishments.
Shortly after the Great War, it was decided to reconstruct the Woodcock Street Baths, only the Bath added in 1902 remaining unaltered. The new buildings, opened on the 14th April, 1926, included a Gala Bath, suites of Private Baths for Men and Women and a Central Establishment Laundry, capable of handling the requirements of the whole of the Department's establishments.
During the winter of 1948-49, the Gala Bath was completely modernised by the installation of under-water lighting, improved lighting in the Bath Hall, and the application of sprayed asbestos acoustic treatment to the Bath Hall ceiling.
Below is the Laundry Room