THE historic Drill Hall in Winsford has been bought by a Winsford resident who says the future for the building is ‘very bright’.

Controversial plans were submitted in 2015 to demolish the building and build flats in its place, and those plans were approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council earlier this year.

Community group Open Winsford made clear its intentions to buy the building and save it from being demolished, instead planning to turn it back into a community use facility.

Those plans stalled due to finances before the Guardian reported in May that Winsford man Simon Boone had put down a £5,000 deposit on the building.

Simon said he was desperate to stop the demolition of the building and retain the iconic frontage, but still planned on turning the building into apartments.

He told the Guardian in May: “The plans are for the building to be retirement apartments on the ground floor, which I think is something there is a lack of in Winsford. Then on the other three floors there will be quality apartments, but we wanted to retain a facility inside for community use, whether that be a meeting room.

“In that we will put some artwork or something on the walls or along the corridor to remind people of the heritage of the building - that is what is important more than anything.”

Simon had four weeks to come up with the rest of the money after paying the deposit and failed to do so.

Mr Chopra, owner of the Drill Hall, told the Guardian last week: “Mr Boone didn’t come up with the rest of the money and there are now two other buyers showing interest – the community group and a housing developer.

“Talks are ongoing and it should be done in the next couple of weeks.”

Mr Chopra then told the Guardian that the Drill Hall, formerly a cinema and bingo hall, had been sold to Simon on Friday, July 21.

Simon said: “Open Winsford simply created a storm of interest but failed to raise any money or get any backing from the council or through grants.

“This building is now sold and being progressed through the planning process. Once that’s competed I shall update you. As for the future of this building, it’s very bright.”