THE dilapidated French Renaissance style former Widnes Town Hall, hailed one of Halton’s treasures, has been saved.

Entrepreneur Steve Lawler has invested almost £2 million to restore the red brick building in Victoria Square, dating back to 1885.

He has converted the 123-year-old Victorian landmark into a restaurant, coffee lounge and entertainment bar, set to open on Friday.

For the first time, guests will be able to sleep in this majestic floodlit building, when a boutique hotel opens next year, along with two function rooms.

Developer Steve, managing director of Bridge Leisure, said: “I’ve tried to retain as many architectural features as possible, including coats of arms.

“I’ve left ceilings as high as I can.

“We have uncovered more problems than we anticipated. The whole building was in a sorry state of neglect. There was a lot of damp and we had to put steel joints in new floors.”

Halton Council leader Clr Tony McDermott, said: “This is the most important building in the town.

“We are very grateful to Steve for saving it. He has worked very hard.

“He has kept the integrity of the French design and protected the historic facade.

“At a time when many businesses are closing, it is great to see someone investing in Halton.”

Several royals and eminent politicians including King George V and Stanley Baldwin visited this historic building, which opened in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.

Steve hopes to breathe new life into his newly named, The Establishment, after a 12-month labour of love.

He has built a two-storey extension at the back.

He has created three full-time jobs and 30 part-time jobs and hopes to take on more than 20 further staff when 12 ensuite rooms and corporate facilities are completed upstairs.

Steve, whose background is in pubs, said: “I’ve taken charge of all the building works and my wife, Jean, looks after the interior design.

“I’m more than happy with the support I’ve had from Halton Council.

“We think the regeneration of this area will be good not just for Widnes but will attract people from Warrington, St Helens and further afield.

“We’ll serve food all the time. We are trying to appeal to everyone.”

A £10 million facelift of Victoria Square has seen a continental piazza, bars, plush apartments, the restoration of the former Co-op into a training suite and new home for Halton CAB plus the expansion of Widnes Library and Kingsway Learning Centre.

Clr Rob Polhill, board member for regeneration, said: “It is great to see this wonderful building restored to its former glory.

“It is the jewel in our crown.

“We have been regenerating Victoria Square for the past five years. We are confident it will become a top quality restaurant and leisure quarter and attract more investors.

“We hope to use the piazza for events.”

Hundreds of people used to gather outside the Town Hall for civic celebrations, such as jubilant Wembley homecomings of Widnes Rugby League team in 1930, 1964 and throughout the 70s and 80s.

It used to be the bustling hub of the town centre, with the century-old market around the corner.

The last meeting of former Widnes District Council was held in teh council chamber in 1972.