THE future of a vacant former gym building on a main route through a Cheshire town remains up in the air.

This is due to plans for the site being withdrawn.

Applicant Rodgers Leask Limited submitted an application to Warrington Borough Council in relation to the former DW Gym building, off Mersey Street, near Warrington town centre.

The proposal sought permission for the demolition of the building, however plans have now been withdrawn.

Documents submitted as part of the application state that the reason for the demolition was due to the building no longer being in use.

The gym closed in August 2020 after the firm called in administrators. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic was cited among the reasons why.

At the time, a statement read: “Following the onset of Covid-19, the future viability of the DW Sports business has become materially uncertain due to the enforced closure of both the gym portfolio and the stores.

“This administration impacts all of our DW Sports retail stores and some gyms. Unfortunately, our Warrington gym will be closing.

“This has clearly been a very difficult decision for the business. In many of the areas we have become a real part of the fitness community, and we thank the staff and our customers for the many years we have enjoyed at each and every site.”

Since then, the building appears run down, with an arson fire also being lit in the structure in May 2022.

Plans were for a conventional top-down demolition, with floor slabs and site hardstanding to remain.

The site would have been safely levelled off, with any excess rubble being transported off site and recycled where possible.

Documents state that there is ‘no proposed restoration at present’, with a perimeter fence sought to reduce access.

The site next to DW was demolished in July last year, having formerly been home to Bank House.

The office block made way ahead of a huge construction project comprising a 10-storey, 80-apartment block, with a rooftop garden, offices and shops.

However, since demolition was completed, no construction work has started.