Plans have been submitted to restore the former King Edward’s School building on Broad Street, a once “handsome” structure in the heart of Bath that has suffered decades of neglect. The Grade II listed building, now a dusty and deteriorating relic in the vibrant Georgian city, has drawn criticism for its dilapidated state, with a former councillor remarking that it “looks like it has been used as an ashtray.”
The building is currently owned by Samuel Smith Old Brewery, a pub chain noted for its unique character. Samuel Smith’s acquired the property in 1989 and has previously sought planning permission to convert it into a hotel. Despite receiving approvals, the building has remained vacant and is now listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.
The latest planning application focuses on urgent repairs, particularly to the stonework and windows, fulfilling conditions imposed by earlier permissions. The need for repairs has been evident for years, with submitted drawings dating as far back as 2006 and 2018 indicating longstanding concerns.
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In 2021, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s cabinet publicly urged Samuel Smith’s to undertake the necessary repairs or consider selling the property. Then deputy council leader Richard Samuel condemned the owners’ stewardship, stating, “The owners of this building are not looking after it and it is on the national risk register. That is a disgrace for a city like this.” He added, “I walk past the building every day and it looks like it has been used as an ashtray.”
The building’s neglect has not gone unnoticed by the local community. Last year, Scott Harrison of Captain Bob’s Circus, a former pupil who used to practice acrobatics inside the school, hung signs declaring “what a waste” on the windows, calling for the site to be transformed into a circus school. However, the signs were swiftly removed.
Samuel Smith’s is known for their traditional pubs, which maintain strict rules on swearing and mobile phone use, but the brewery has faced criticism for owning multiple unused historic properties. The current plans offer a hopeful chance for the restoration of a key piece of Bath’s heritage.