CAMPAIGNERS battling to reopen Droitwich Spa’s historic brine baths are now preparing to finance the project themselves.

Members of the Save Our Brine Baths (SOBBS) group will launch a major fundraising drive at this year’s Salt Fest after negotiations with private backers stalled.

The St Andrew’s Street site was closed by BMI Healthcare at the end of 2008, a move that violated its 25-year lease agreement and led to Wychavon District Council obtaining £200,000 in compensation.

SOBBS had hoped to gain financial support to help save the baths after BMI Healthcare agreed it was prepared to offer a lease to anyone who could refurbish and run the facility.

Since then, campaigners have unsuccessfully been seeking assistance from other parties to make the scheme a reality.

Plans to potentially link the baths and the town’s Raven Hotel also didn’t materialise.

It has now got to the stage where members feel the only option left to save the facility, seen as a vital cornerstone in the town’s heritage, is to go it alone and find the funds themselves.

Chairman of SOBBS, William Moy, said: “SOBBS has decided the only way forward is to work on plans to raise the required capital.

“I’m sure with the backing of townsfolk, local businesses and established groups, we can make the project a reality.

“Wychavon District Council already holds £200,000 that is earmarked for a brine facility in the town. If we can build on that, we can achieve our aim.”

Now, to move the campaign forward, Mr Mohi El-Shazly, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Droitwich Knee Clinic, has arranged for SOBBS to meet with him, the mayor of Droitwich Councillor Anne Taft, and an independent expert working in the field of spa installations.

It is hoped the meeting will help campaigners get a better idea of the costs involved and form a detailed business plan.

Keith Cunningham, from Droitwich Spa Hospital, is also working on plans to extend the site’s current 18 year lease to make the project a more attractive proposition.

Mr Moy said: “We aim to start fundraising during Salt Fest in September. We will have a stall, leaflets and theatrical performances. We will also be contacting Droitwich Spa Town Council, English Heritage, local schools and town groups for support.”

Anyone who would like to help the campaign can email sobbs@hotmail.co.uk or call William Moy on 07714753748.

He added: “I know we can do this with the support of the people of this town who helped reopened our Lido.

“I feel sure we can repeat those efforts to reopen the brine baths, which after all, are the jewel in Droitwich’s crown.”