An iconic Art Deco swimming pool in Aberdeen has been put on the market by Aberdeen City Council.

The facility was mothballed in March 2008 as part of the local authority’s swingeing package of cuts.

A local campaign was launched to save the pool but Aberdeen city council said it had to be shut to make savings of more than £800,000 a year as they had been subsidising every visitor by £11.

The B-listed building, which was designed by Alexander McRobbie of the City Architects Department, was built in 1937.

Gordon McIntosh, the council’s director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, said: “We are looking for positive and innovative ideas on how this can best be done. We are open to ideas and are flexible in how we speak to people about them.”

Andrew Smith of Property consultants Ryden, who are handling the sale, said: “The property has been vacant since early 2005 and presents a unique opportunity for the acquisition of an historical building within the heart of Aberdeen City centre.

“Justice Mill Lane is undergoing considerable redevelopment at present with the construction of two hotels, 125,000 sq ft of offices and underground public parking.

“As such, the Bon Accord Baths is the last property on the south side of Justice Mill Lane with the potential for redevelopment, subject to planning permission.”

The two storey, 50,000 sq ft building includes: gymnasium; Turkish baths, saunas, steam rooms and a plunge pool.