A DEAL has been agreed to sell former nightclub Mr Smith's for £1.25m as part of plans to turn it into a flagship youth club for 3000 young people.

The sale was confirmed today, Tuesday, by the building’s owners, the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust.

It means the Art Deco property will not be demolished. As revealed in the Warrington Guardian, the purchase has been made by Newton-based soft drinks company Vimto.

The former ABC Cinema is now set to be transformed into a Youth Zone by charity OnSide.

Warrington Borough Council's executive board agreed to spend £3million in capital investment on the project during a Town Hall meeting on Monday night.

Following the decision, Rudi Falla, spokesman for the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust, said: “We’d always maintained that the original decision to clear the site was a last resort as we understood how the building held many happy memories for the people of Warrington.

"With renewed interest in the property and the council’s decision to approve the funding package last night, this now paves the way for its future as a community facility.

“To show our support for the project, the trust has pledged a donation of £150,000 towards the future running costs of the club, to be paid on completion of the sale, as it complements our long history of supporting community projects”.

The former Ritz cinema will also provide a permanent home for Warrington Youth Club.

It will be in charge of running the site, and generating future funding with support from OnSide.

Nick Hopkinson, chairman of Warrington Youth Club said “We are absolutely delighted that the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust has helped secure the future of this iconic building and remain incredibly positive about the long-term benefits this project will bring to local young people once the council have completed their due diligence."

At the executive board meeting on Monday, councillors voiced support for the development of Warrington Youth Zone.

Clr Jean Carter (Great Sankey South - LAB) said: "The council was approached by OnSide to work in partnership with Warrington Youth Club.

"There are five zones in the north west that are very successful.

"I visited Wigan.

"We were so enthused when we came out of the building because of the energy.

"We could see all the benefits it would offer."

The total deal for Mr Smith's is £6milion, including further investment from Vimto to support the launch of WYZ.

The proposal was approved unanimously by the executive board.

A consultation with partners will now take place with an update due in December.