Swindonians have reacted to the Theatre Trust’s warning about the future of the Mechanics’ Institute.

It is one of only 43 buildings in the country to be on the trust’s Theatres at Risk register, which said: “The company has indicated no interest in the building since and the dereliction is now extreme.”

Swindon Borough Council is stepping in and plans to "identify a viable a sustainable reuse of the building, identify a funding strategy for the restoration, consider a phased reopening of the building and address the ownership" but some fear that this will be too little too late.

Lynne Packer said: “I would have rather cut the stupid bus station project and got the historical buildings fixed up.

“Years and years ongoing and nothing was done about it, if I left my house to fall to pieces, the council would do something via the law.”

Martin Kelly added: “Government funding for Fleming Way was specifically aimed at town centres so it had to be something within that remit. From........

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