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The History of 85 – 101 Sankey Street

Dr Alexandre Mackie in 1853 launched the Warrington Guardian Series of weekly newspapers.  In 1873, Mackie negotiated with Lord Winmarleigh, who then lived at Bank Hall (which is now Warrington Town Hall), for a plot of land on Sankey Street to accommodate the many large printing orders which he had obtained.  In 1881 – 82, more land was obtained for extensions.  In 1961, 99 Sankey Street was purchased, and this property was later restructured to provide extra space on the Head Office building.

The reconstruction of the Sankey Street offices continued in 1972, and was completed in November 1974, an eight page supplement being published to mark the occasion.

The former Warrington Guardian Offices in Sankey Street decorated for the Royal Visit in 1909.

On 22nd May 1981 the people Warrington watched in disbelief as the old Academy building was winched to a new adjacent site out of the way of the Bridge Foot road widening scheme. Unfortunately the old building was demolished shortly after its move and a new replica was built in its place, now home to the Warrington Guardian.

The Sankey Street building then become home to Martin Dawes, who have been associated with the home entertainment market since the early 70’s Martin Dawes (yes, there really is a Martin Dawes) saw the launch of colour television in the UK as a great opportunity to develop a TV rental business based on top end service. He opened his first store in Stockport, securing production lines of the earliest colour televisions for his rental business with Bush and HMV, top names at the time. The business grew at a fantastic rate, with further shops in Warrington and Chester being opened. With the growth came change, although the underlying principle of quality customer service still remains today. They now have stores across the North West and Midlands and a large direct rental base which continues to offer top end service to all of its customers.

In January 2003, the resource centre planning applications for works to the whole building were submitted, and planning permission was granted in May.  In August 2003, Harry Fairclough were appointed as the main contractor.  In February 2004, the GATEWAY was chosen as the new name. In April 2004 WREN awarded the GATEWAY upto £50,000 towards work to make the building more accessible to disable clients.  Works were completed in July 2004.  In June 2006, the new conference suite opened.  Funding for the construction of this new suite was provided by ‘ChangeUp Cheshire & Warrington’ and work was commissioned by Warrington Housing Association on behalf of the GATEWAY.
Opened in February 2006 by HRH The Princess Royal, the GATEWAY is an independent charity working with local voluntary and statutory organisations in Warrington. 

The £5 million project which was funded by Warrington Housing Association has brought 25 voluntary, charitable and community organisations together under one roof to create and inclusive and welcoming environment. 

the GATEWAY has invested in the social infrastructure of the town to provide a multiple range of services delivered by both voluntary and statutory agencies, in one location and in an integrated manner.  As such, it is a facility that provides a focus for the social regeneration of Warrington.