Hi Marion,

I think you're absolutely right when you say

"So going for plain, comfortable and clean (think project's budget)
rather than a difficult to maintain luxurious venue would be the
way..."

I just dont see how the higher prices needed to support a luxury
venue would work in Tower Hamlets. Places like Porchester Hall
priced at over £19 exist in more upmarket areas for those that have
the money.

It amazes me that so many people are prepared to pay good money for
such dilapidated and poorly maintained facilities. I go to meet old
friends and make new ones in a unique atmosphere. I'm sure many
others do too dispite the poor state of the surroundings. I dont
think we qre looking for "Luxury" just a good quality, clean and
functional steam bath.

One of the best things about the York Hall today is how diverse the
users are - different classes, colours, nationalities,
religions,professions, political views and ages get together and
make lasting friendships. Thats priceless! I would feel so bad if
this was lost and replaced by something only accessable to those
comfortably off.

I'm sure the council wants to encourage this diversity. By
preserving the simplicity and making comfort and cleanliness the
priorities rather than "Luxury" and increased prices I'm sure the
level of diversity will be increased and more locals will feel the
Steam is for them.

Maybe its too difficult to market "clean and comfy" sucsessfully so
the label "Luxury" gets used instead. It just doesnt seem
appropriate somehow. Luxury seems at odds with the characteristics
that many of us value in York Hall - simplicity, friendliness,
community - the simple pleasure of jumping into the cold punge and
standing under the cascading water. I suppose the key thing is what
is meant by "Luxury". Maybe thats what we need to ask at the User
meeting.

I hear that next week there will be a Turkish bath staff meeting
about how the redevelopment will be managed. It looks as though
something is finally going to happen. Lets hope the User Meeting on
the 5th September is well attended and we get to hear some good news.

Its a pity you cant make it to the meeting. Can you get someone else
to go along in your place?

Best Regards

Mark



--- In Yorkhall@..., "Mark" <mark_yorkhall@y...> wrote:
> Hi Mark,
>
> I've been following the progression of this consultation from
early
> days...yet haven't been able to attend the latest user meetings
due
> to
> business trips.
>
> As I won't be able to attend on the 5th of September, I'd like to
> pass
> on some questions and views about what is taking place at York
Hall
> re:
> the Turkish Baths.
>
> Being a regular user of this facilities I have noticed that they
are
> used by people from the local community, many from "ethnic
> minorities".
> I am convinced that the Turkish Baths in York Hall are a great
place
> for
> women of all origins and backgrounds to meet and mix.. Keeping the
> single sex rota seems to be the only way (otherwise the capacity
has
> to
> be reduced) maybe it could be more flexible (ie split 1 day
between
> women only and men only).
>
> It is important that the facilities can attract more members of
the
> local community and provide better quality facilities than at the
> moment
> as they are impractical and need to be redesigned for facilitating
> maintenance.
>
> Like the rest of the venue, the Turkish and Russian baths have
great
> architectural qualities and valuable features that should be
> preserved
> or restored.
>
> A successful development of the place means capitalizing on the
> heritage
> and community aspects that York Hall is standing for. I urge the
> decision makers on this project to put these points at the core of
> the
> discussion and work, since I also believe that these arguments
can
> be
> the base of a commercial success. So going for plain, comfortable
> and
> clean (think project's budget) rather than a difficult to maintain
> luxurious venue would be the way...
>
> a question: are they thinking of increasing the price for users to
> enjoy
> the Turkish baths?
> that would be a bad idea
>
> I'm sure a lot of the group members would agree and that my voice
> would
> be echoed in that meeting and that it will help making some
> progress.
>
> all the best,
>
> Marion Gillet