Retailers found for empty TJ Hughes store (From Warrington Guardian)

Retailers found for empty TJ Hughes store on Sankey Street, Warrington

11:20am Friday 28th September 2012 in News

Retailers found for empty TJ Hughes store

ONE of the town’s most prominent buildings could soon have new owners while another landmark building has gone on the market.

The former TJ Hughes building on Sankey Street has been on the market since the firm went into administration last August.

But now the property is under offer according to commercial property website showcase.co.uk.

Marketing material for the huge building which was once home to the Co-operative in Warrington is offering the building as either one full site or split in two – either by floor or as two separate units.

The guide said: “The premises comprise an iconic building in Warrington town centre which occupies an extremely prominent location with an extensive frontage onto Sankey Street and Cairo Street.

“The upper floors provide additional sales and ancillary accommodation but are also suitable for a variety of alternative uses.”

Letting agents are remaining tightlipped over whether the property will be going to one business or two.

But it means one of the largest empty retail units could soon be brought back into use.

It comes as an estate agent’s sign goes up on the iconic Mr Smith’s nightclub.

Commercial and development specialists Savills have been brought in to offer the Bridge Foot venue to a new client.

The nightclub had been bought for £1 million in March 2011 by a mystery purchaser after it closed following its previous incarnation as Halo.

The new owners relaunched the club under its old name but revellers proved disinterested.

Savills did not respond to Warrington Guardian’s questions over whether the site is up for sale or as a lease.

Though one interested party could be Warrington Borough Council .

Last year at an executive board meeting it was revealed the council had looked at buying the venue when it went under the hammer at a London auction with a guide price of £500,000.

The then leader of the council, Clr Ian Marks said at the time: “In years to come it will be a brilliant site (with the Bridge Street redevelopment).

“If we could have got it at a reasonable price we would have done that. We could have decided what we wanted to do with it (linking to the development plans) but we were outbid by this other company.”