Precarious state of the building, within a key regeneration location, will mean that much of the demolition will have to be undertaken by hand and the works will take approximately six months

An old building in Warrington town centre that has been empty for more than 60 years is to be demolished due to its “unsafe and dangerous condition”.

The former Garnett Cabinet Works building in Barbauld Street is now subject to a Court order under Section 77 of the Building Act 1984.

The precarious state of the building will mean that much of the demolition will have to be undertaken by hand and the works will take approximately six months.

It is a key location within Warrington Council’s framework for growth Warrington Means Business. It will provide a direct link between the £130m Time Square regeneration project and Warrington’s Cultural Quarter.

It will allow easy access across town from the bars, restaurants and cultural amenities surrounding Queens Gardens over to the Time Square project with its multiplex cinema, restaurants and new market hall.

Once cleared the site will initially be utilised as a temporary car park before works commence on an eventual residential scheme, subject to planning permission

The former council office building to the rear of the property adjacent to the Cairo Street Chapel is currently being refurbished by a private developer with the intention of turning it into a restaurant.

Andy Farrall, deputy chief executive and executive director economic regeneration, growth & environment, said: “The roof has collapsed and the building ravaged by vandalism and the passage of time, with numerous anti-social incursions having taken place.”

Elfriede Sheikh of the adjacent Unitarian Chapel Cairo Street, added: “We are the very close neighbours of the old Cabinet Works with the adjacent Water Tower.

“Both, but especially the Water Tower, have been a landmark  for Warrington for very many years. Unfortunately the time has come now when the structures of the buildings have become so weak and extremely dangerous that there is no way but to demolish them.”