The creator of popular soft drink Vimto, Nichols is understood to be the secret benefactor prepared to gift the Mr Smith’s nightclub building in Warrington to the town as a youth club.

A council report revealed this week that an anonymous buyer was trying to acquire the old cinema building for around £1m from the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust which had wanted to redevelop the site.

It explained that the benefactor would also contribute £2m to a refurbishment, along with £3m from the council. The plan is for the OnSide Youth Zones charity to run the centre.

A source has suggested that Newton-le-Willows-based Nichols is behind the plan, but the group has declined to comment on its involvement. The Warrington Guardian has also reported the drink producer’s association with the plans.

Mr Smith’s was used as the location of Pete Waterman’s dance music TV show The Hit Man and Her, and the building featured appearances from one of his protégés Rick Astley, a famous son of Newton-le-Willows.

The plans will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s executive on Monday.

Source: The Business Desk
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