AN appeal has been launched to raise the additional half a million pounds needed to turn the town's youth zone plans into a reality.

The Warrington Guardian is backing a campaign to raise the extra funds required to build the youth club from the ground up after the proposed site went up in flames.

The wheels were already in motion to transform the former Mr Smith's nightclub into a social hub for young people.

But, following the blaze which engulfed the building, the former Ritz cinema was demolished with piles of rubble and scrap metal now covering the site.

Last week, the Warrington Guardian reported that Warrington Borough Council, Warrington Youth Club (WYC), Newton-based soft drinks company Vimto, Pervaiz Naviede Family and OnSide Youth Zones have united in their commitment to ensure a state-of-the-art youth club will open.

The ideal location for the centre remains the iconic landmark site of Mr Smith’s with a new facility to be built.

Kathryn Morley, chief executive at OnSide Youth Zones described it as a fantastic opportunity for young people to have access to a facility which can help them reach their full potential. 

She added: “Our determination to make the youth zone happen is still as strong as ever, if not stronger now. 

"Developing a new facility in keeping with the much-loved spirit of Mr Smith’s would be the perfect way to do this now, in light of recent events.  

“However we can’t do it alone, we know how much this building was loved by the local community and we now need everyone to come together and pledge their support to make the youth zone a reality.”

While Vimto has pledged its support for a new youth centre, the loss of the building has incurred an additional construction cost of £500,000.

Nick Hopkinson, chairman of WYC, said: “Raising funds is critical to our success and every pound raised in this appeal will be kept safe and used for the development of a new facility on the Mr Smith’s site or if that’s not possible on an alternative."

Dave McNicholl, chief executive of WYC, added: “While the building may have gone, the drive and focus on providing the highest quality opportunities for our young people is still as strong. 

"However to make these plans a reality we need the support of the wider Warrington community to help us in whatever way possible including money, skills, volunteering." 

A spokesperson for The Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust, who own the land, has confirmed that while they are assessing options for the site they would be thrilled if plans to develop it into a new youth zone come into fruition.”

Steve Broomhead, chief executive of Warrington Borough Council, added: "The provision of a youth zone remains under active consideration for the young people of Warrington and the council looks forward to exploring all options for the future.”

To show your support and donate click here.

TO get the fundraising efforts under way, the Warrington Guardian is to sell off 20 bricks to raise money to get the youth zone plans off the ground.

Those wishing to get their hands on a piece of Warrington history can do so by making a £10 donation. 

The first 20 people to either visit the newspaper's office on Bridge Street or e-mail lauren.hirst@nqnw.co.uk can sign up to get a brick.

All donations must be made in cash on collection of the brick.

Normal Newsquest rules apply.