Bath’s iconic 1930s fire station is being demolished after its bid for Grade II listed status was rejected. By the evening of June 10, half of the building’s distinctive Art Deco façade had already been reduced to rubble.
Bath and North East Somerset Council granted planning permission last November to demolish the deteriorating structure and replace it with a modern facility. Fire crews vacated the station in February and are currently operating from a temporary base in Twerton until the new station is expected to open in summer 2027.
Although the historic stone crest and original fireman’s pole from the old station have been salvaged and will be incorporated into the new building, Historic England’s recommendation to grant the fire station Grade II listed status was declined by government ministers. The review panel agreed, stating that the building did not possess sufficient architectural or historical significance at a national level.
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Completed in 1938 by architect Molly Gerrard (née Taylor), who also designed Kilowatt House, the fire station played a vital role during the Bath Blitz of 1942. Despite its historical importance, the Twentieth Century Society launched a campaign to save the building, emphasizing its elegant 1930s design and rich legacy. Head of casework Coco Whittaker argued that the station deserved either sympathetic modernization or adaptive reuse, as seen in other historic fire stations.
However, the nearly 90-year-old building no longer met modern requirements. It lacked essential welfare and decontamination facilities and was structurally unsound. Additionally, the appliance bay doors were too narrow for current fire engines, often causing damage during emergency responses.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service highlighted the challenges of relocating, noting that 14 on-call firefighters must live within five minutes of the station to meet operational needs.
During the council’s planning meeting, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Luke Gazzard explained, “The existing station on Bathwick Street has served the city well since 1938 but is no longer fit for purpose. It does not meet the standards of safety, accessibility, environmental performance, and staff wellbeing that the modern fire and rescue service requires, while the construction is unsound.”
The planning committee unanimously approved the demolition, with local councillor Toby Simon acknowledging the loss yet emphasizing the building’s poor condition and failure to meet current fire station requirements.