SERIOUS risks taken by thoughtless vandals at the town centre Cabinet Works site have left the nearby chapel 'dreading' a discovery of a dead body on its grounds.
Demolition work to part of the building, on Barbauld Street, is due to begin 'imminently' but questions still remain over the future of the Garnett's water tower, with the council yet to confirm whether it is planned to come down.
Concerns over 'free runners' and anti-social behaviour have been highlighted by the authority but safely securing the site remains a big issue.
And Cairo Street Unitarian Chapel treasurer Peter McGuigan, who has witnessed the tower's deterioration in recent months, admits he fears coming across a dead body each time he enters the historic venue's grounds.
A shot of the deteriorating tower from last July (l) and January following damage
He said: "We want to protect the chapel from vandalism – that is a big concern for us.
"When demolition work occurs we need to ensure the site is well secured so vandalism is contained.
"Every time I come here I am filled with dread because I think I am going to see someone lying on the ground.
"The memorial ground is lower than the main chapel entrance and you can't see the lawn from the street so if anybody fell the only time it will be discovered is when you come closer."
The chapel's new American minister the Rev Bob Janis-Dillon labelled the current situation as 'dangerous' and 'tragic' for the town.
"From our point of view, there are mixed emotions – the cabinet works and the water tower are a cherished part of our skyline and history, as they are for all Warringtonians," he added.
"In addition, on that site are two buildings of especial importance to our Unitarian history – the former schoolhouse to the chapel, and the industrial school, which was founded in the 1840s by the Rev Philip Pearsall Carpenter, to help young people get training and improve in life.
"There's a good deal of priceless Warrington history on that site.
"At the same time, we have been concerned about the risk to health and safety posed by a derelict building that is decaying more year by year.
"There are no easy solutions, but together we need to do better, both to preserve what can be saved of our past, and to serve Warrington's future."
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