A MAN is fighting to use the vacant DW Gym building as a place for homeless people to have hot food and drink.

Anthony Maddock, 58, has been voluntarily cleaning the outside of the disused building and is now attempting to get permission from the council to use it for a charity.

The gym, which is on Bank Street, closed in August 2020 after the firm called in administrators, citing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as one of the reasons why.

Plans were submitted by Rogers Leask Limited to Warrington Borough Council seeking permission to demolish the building but have since been withdrawn.

Now, Anthony is attempting to use it as a base for a homeless charity.

“It’s not fair to see a building being wasted,” he said.

“There’s a lot of people who do want to see this building being used.”

Warrington Guardian: The building has been empty since 2020The building has been empty since 2020 (Image: Newsquest)

Anthony has been running his charity, For the Homeless, out of his home in Birchwood but wants to expand and use the vacant gym to help more people across Warrington.

“I want to do it in a proper way,” he said.

“A lot of people have lost a lot and it’s such a shame.”

If Anthony were to be granted permission to use the building, he hopes to supply hot food and drink to homeless people.

The building has been vandalised since it has been empty, including an arson fire being lit inside in 2022.

Anthony regularly visits the building to try and maintain it, spending hours picking up rubbish on the site.

A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “This building would not be appropriate for use as a base for a homeless charity.”