Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bunhill: Baths for the Baltic

Sunday 21 November 1993 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THANK YOU for all the suggestions on uses for the old trading floor of the Baltic Exchange, the fabulous marble- clad hall soon to be restored in the wake of the IRA bombing. The ship traders are moving to smaller premises and the hall looks fated to be the foyer of an office block.

John Stockdale of Paignton, Devon, proposes a wine exchange, where rare and ordinary wines would be auctioned and tasted. Jonathan Trapman, of London E8, suggests a meditation centre for City folk to exchange self-interest for compassion, kindness and honesty.

There were lots of suggestions for museums - of the decline of the British merchant navy, of building materials, of financial markets, and of modern art, among others.

But the bottle of bubbly goes to Deborah Jefferies, of London N16, who proposes 'a fantastic baths and steam rooms, similar to something you might find in Budapest as in the Gellert Baths'.

The pictures of the two interiors show the Baltic has great potential as a giant turkish bath. It would be a wonderful place for City financiers to meet face to face and negotiate deals without the distracting trappings of screens and suits. It's hard to be dishonest with no clothes on, I'm told.

Alas, Nicholas Baucher, of Hillier Parker, the agent handling the sale of the site, is dubious. 'The hall is 500,000 cubic feet,' he tells me. 'That's an awful lot of steam.'

(Photograph omitted)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in