SQUATTERS have been frequenting a Winsford grot spot that’s been blighting a main approach road to the town for years.

The town council is applying pressure to have The Raven pub on the B5074 Swanlow Lane tidied up alongside a host of other unsightly blemishes in Winsford.

The decrepit shell of the burnt-out Liquid Lounge, a graffiti-clad electricity substation and Over’s historic ‘Saxon’ cross were all on the agenda at a meeting of the authority on Monday, September 16.

Clr Steve Smith said: “The Liquid Lounge really concerns me. In my opinion, I’m very worried about the safety of the building.

The roof was very badly burned and it’s very close to the roadside. There’s not a lot supporting it and I think we need to some pressure on the owners to demolish it.”

Councillor Brian Clarke added: “Cheshire West’s environmental officers should have a look at that.

“It’s in a dangerous state and children are getting into it.”

On The Raven pub, clr Sue Langley confirmed: “There was a squatter that was living in the grounds. He completely swept the inside and built himself a nice little shelter.”

Meanwhile, clr Charlie Parkinson joined other members in calling for action on the Over Cross.

The unique pyramid structure on Delamere Street was historically used to lock up troublemakers before the town gained a magistrates court, and marked where the Over market met nearby.

In view of the town council resurrecting Winsford’s historic traditions with the Salt Fair, clr Parkinson said it was time to tidy up the local landmark.

As well as asking CWAC to sort out the structure, town Council clerk, Alan Warburton, confirmed that the borough council were contacting Scottish Power with a view to having graffiti removed from the electricity substation behind the former Greedy Pig.