LANCASTER'S famous Waring and Gillow showroom on North Road is to be sold to a successful local businessman, the Citizen can exclusively reveal. Trevor Bargh of Bargh Estates, based in Penny Street, is putting the final touches to a deal which will see a mixed development of the grade-two listed building. The move allays fears that the store was set to stand as an empty shell after closing its doors last week on a 116 years of trading.

The new proposals will see the three-storey building converted into a thriving business complex of office and retail units.

"There are a few final points to discuss but I can confirm that a deal is on the cards," said Trevor Bargh, who developed the Victoria Court office complex on the site of the city's former tramshed.

"It's too early to give many details but if it goes through it will be a mixed development of office and retail units."

The home of the historic furniture makers is currently owned by the Maple Allied Group, a sub-division of supermarket giants, Asda who have been trying to sell the famous showrooms for more than three years.

As a listed building which houses a historic staircase and memorial to the city's war dead, any development would have to comply with strict planning restrictions. Museum curator and Waring and Gillows expert, Mr Stephen Sartin, said that the building's historic fixtures and fittings were protected by heritage regulations.

He said: "It's a shame Waring and Gillows has finally closed after 250 years but it's good news that the store has been sold and won't stand empty. As a listed building it should remain as it is, including the staircase and decorative items, and I know many people in Lancaster who think the same."

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