Former Wigan supermarket becoming magnet for vandals, residents warn

Criminal damage attacks have now been launched on the one-time Morrisons premises themselves with clear attempts being made to break through its defences.

Locals fear that if the ring of steel isn’t quickly restored they could have “another Pagefield Building” on their hands with fire and vandal alerts regularly causing concern to residents, unnecessary work for fire crews and putting the intruders’ on safety at risk.

The building on Makerfield Way at Ince, has stood empty since Morrisons moved out of town last November during a cull of its less profitable stores.

What looked like an impenetrable barrier was immediately erected around the site’s perimeter and for a while it held fast.

But it is not clear whether recent gales or mischief-making intruders have caused the fence to collapse, leaving the superstore building vulnerable to attack.

One reader, who did not wish to be identified, said: “Something needs to happen to this site before the building gets burnt down or someone is seriously injured.

“All the windows have been smashed and fire extinguishers have been thrown through the glass roof. You can see where attempts have been made to ramp up the shutters in order to get in.”

Another said: “It’s bad enough being stuck with an eyesore white elephant empty store on our doorsteps without it becoming a horribly vandalised white elephant as well.

“The last thing we need is another Pagefield building scenario with young intruders constantly breaking in to rampaging around the place, putting themselves and others at risk and running 999 crews ragged.

Morrisons, which had already closed its Wigan town centre store several years ago, shut the Ince outlet a part of a cost-cutting plan which put dozens of Wigan workers out of a job. Wigan Council leader David Molyneux said at the time that the loss was a blow to the economy but voiced hope that a new use would be found for the vacant premises.

The local auhority today said the security issues were a matter for Morrisons. The chain was contacted for a comment but had not responded by the time the paper went to press.