Cover-up admitted over misbehaviour at Turkish Baths

The Turkish Baths, in Harrogate, have offered relaxing single-sex sessions, as well as mixed sessions, since they opened back in 1897, but the facilities, one of only seven Victorian baths still in existence, have been forced to close the male sessions.

Harrogate Council announced last month that it would be ending the sessions in January, blaming finances but a councillor has now admitted covering up complaints in order to preserve the town’s “genteel” reputation.

Cabinet member for culture Coun Caroline Bayliss said the authority had been forced to act following repeated complaints about behaviour at the sessions from members of the public, stretching back several years.

“It was the two items taken together,” she said. “I can defend my decision entirely on commercial grounds and I would far prefer to do so than sully the reputation of Harrogate.

“We have unfortunately had complaints from other male users of the Turkish Baths.

“These are problems that are very difficult for our staff to deal with over a period of a number of years.”

She said the problems related to repeated instances of “inappropriate behaviour in a public place”, and that the baths employed a largely female staff.

Coun Bayliss said she had become aware of the issue in June or July this year, shortly after being appointed as cabinet member for culture.

She immediately ordered a review, which reported recently and announced the closure of the service in January 2012.

The councillor decided to cover up the real reasons behind the decision and said it was her responsibility to make the popular spa town an attractive tourist destination.

She said: “My job is to uphold the reputation of Harrogate and that I will do my damnedest to do. I don’t think it’s particularly good publicity.”

Coun Bayliss has insisted that the men-only sessions were uneconomical. “I’m sorry about the break with tradition – I’m one for upholding traditions – but we have to make sure the Turkish Baths is running as efficiently as possible. On commercial grounds, it is simply that, but there was this other problem.”

In November, male users of the baths accused the council of sexism over its decision.