LAST year, the wheels were set in motion to save the derelict art deco building from demolition.

Hailed as a rescue package, the news that the former Mr Smith’s nightclub would remain standing was welcomed and celebrated by many.

While the plans to turn the iconic landmark into a state-of-the-art youth zone were very much in its infancy, momentum was starting to building and blueprints were starting to take shape.

A total of £3m had already been offered by council figures to help fund the project – subject to a business plan and risk assessment.

But, following the devastating fire, what is to become of the building which was once a teenage home to many?

A spokesman for charity Onside, who are supporting the project, said the commitment and drive to open a youth zone in the town has not diminished following the blaze.

But it was added that they ‘will have to wait and see what damage has been caused to the site by the blaze’ before deciding what the next step will be.

Council chief executive Steven Broomhead added that, although the plans will now have to be delayed, talks will continue about the future of the youth zone.

He said: "We obviously want to retain as much of the frontage as we can but we will have to see what is safe.

"It is a major blow for the business case for the youth zone.

"We will look at it again next week when things are calmer. We will look at all the options and see what we will do."

He also explained how a walk from the site back to his office at the Town Hall left him aware of what the building meant to people in Warrington.

“People kept coming up to me and saying ‘I can’t believe what has happened’. It brought home just what an emotional attachment people have to the building.”

The land is currently owned by the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust, who had agreed a deal to sell the plot to bosses running the youth zone project.

A spokesman for LPC Living, who are advisors to the trust, said: "We are greatly saddened to announce that the iconic Mr Smith's building is to be demolished due to extensive damage caused by the recent fire and this is to be completed by the weekend.

"Unfortunately, the extent of the destruction has meant that the structure of the building is unsafe and beyond salvage.

"We are very disappointed with this situation as plans were in place and reaching finalisation to transform the building into a new centre for Warrington Youth Club (WYC).”

The chief executive of Dave McNicholl described the fire as ‘a complete shock’ but he added that discussions are still ongoing.

He said: “We are working closely with our partners to look at the implications of this situation for the development of the facility in Warrington."