Bath’s historic 1930s fire station is being demolished after failing to secure Grade II listed status. 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 had granted planning permission in November to demolish the structure and replace it with a modern, state-of-the-art fire station.
The fire crews vacated the station in February and have since operated from a temporary facility in Twerton. The new fire station is expected to open in the summer of 2027. Notably, the original stone crest and fireman’s pole from the historic building have been salvaged and will be integrated into the new design.
Historic England had recommended the building for Grade II listing, but the government declined, stating the structure was “not sufficiently special.” Following a review, the decision was upheld, with a panel noting that Bath Fire Station lacks “special architectural or historic interest in a national context.”
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Built in 1938 by architect Molly Gerrard (née Taylor), who also designed Kilowatt House, the fire station played a significant role during the Bath Blitz in 1942. The Twentieth Century Society campaigned to save the building, with head of casework Coco Whittaker emphasizing its architectural merit and historical importance. Whittaker argued that the building should be sympathetically modernized or repurposed, as has been done with other historic fire stations.
However, the nearly 90-year-old facility failed to meet modern standards. It lacked essential welfare and decontamination facilities and was structurally unsound. The appliance bay doors were too narrow for today’s fire engines, frequently causing damage during emergency call outs.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service indicated that relocation was not a viable option, as the 14 on-call firefighters must live within a five-minute drive of the station.
During the council’s planning committee meeting in November, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Luke Gazzard remarked, “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, and its construction is unsound.”
The planning committee unanimously approved the demolition plans. Local councillor Toby Simon acknowledged the loss but noted the building’s poor structural condition and failure to meet current fire station requirements.