GARNETT’s Cabinet Works looks set to be demolished within weeks after a court ruling deemed the iconic building unsafe.

The cabinet works – including the landmark water tower that has been a part of the town’s skyline for 111 years – will be bulldozed in the coming weeks, with a court order issued due to its dangerous condition.

Built on Barbauld Street in the town centre in 1906, Garnett’s Cabinet Works has now been vacant for more than 60 years.

Hoardings will soon be erected around the building for the safety of the public before demolition starts.

The site will then initially be used as a temporary car park before work gets under way on a residential development, subject to planning permission.

Warrington & Co says the demolition will help to ‘grow the town centre’s leisure economy’ by providing a direct pedestrian link between the bars and restaurants of the Cultural Quarter to the Time Square regeneration project’s new eateries, multiplex cinema and Warrington Market.

Andy Farrall, deputy chief executive and executive director for economic regeneration at Warrington & Co, said: “The former cabinet works is in an extremely dangerous condition and has largely been unoccupied for 60 years.

“The roof has collapsed and the building has been ravaged by vandalism and the passage of time, with numerous anti-social incursions having taken place.

“This is a key site in Warrington’s growth agenda and will in the future provide a key linkage from Palmyra Square over to the Time Square project.”

While the cabinet works will be demolished, the former council offices at the back of the property – next to the Cairo Street Unitarian Chapel – are currently being refurbished by a private developer with the intention of opening an Italian restaurant.

Friede Sheikh, from the chapel, said: “We, the Unitarian Chapel at Cairo Street, 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.

“Over the years we had endless trouble with vandals throwing slate tiles, bricks and massive boulders from the huge wall of the Cabinet Works and even the top of the water tower, endangering their own and everybody else’s lives. Even the police were unable to access the area due to the danger.

“So I can say we are all very relieved now that we can look forward to the restructuring of the Warrington town centre, where we are playing a big part with also the demolition of our old Sunday school to eventually provide access from Cairo Street to the town centre and where residential accommodation will be provided.

“We also welcome the council’s decision to restore the very historic Priestley Gates which will then give access to the cultural quarter and our beautifully maintained garden and historical graveyard.

“It is always difficult to embrace change of this extent, but we will now be able to look forward to a much improved town centre for all the people of Warrington.”