WARRINGTON Borough Council has given the green light for a former construction firm’s offices to be demolished.

Harry Fairclough Construction went into administration in February 2020 after more than 120 years in business, having been first founded in 1898.

Around 150 people lost their jobs as a result.

Now WBC has granted planning permission for its headquarters on Howley Lane to be bulldozed.

Works are due to commence in late August and continue for around two weeks, with the building having suffered from ‘significant’ water damage and been deemed ‘uneconomical to repair’.

It is anticipated that the 1.4-acre site will then be used for housing, although any development would be subject to a further application.

Administrators Smith and Williamson confirmed earlier this year that the Howley base, which borders the Mersey, had been sold off.

Partner Andy McGill said: “We were pleased to finalise the sale of the freehold premises at this challenging time, following a full marketing strategy in conjunction with Savills over the last 12 months.

“The sale achieved will ensure realisations available to the creditors of Harry Fairclough Limited will be maximised.”

Savills associate Ned Brooks added: “This sale represents an exciting future for the site, and is one that we are very pleased to have been involved in.

“What the sale has indicated, and indeed underlines what we are seeing across the region, is that there is growing confidence in the market and that demand is incredibly strong for development land – notwithstanding the effect Covid-19 has had on the market.

“This demand, coupled with an expected increase in land values over the next 12 months and our longer term forecasts for mainstream house prices, paints a very positive outlook for the region’s future.”

Harry Fairclough Construction's demise was blamed on non-paying customers after a winding up order was made against the business at Liverpool County Court.