THE crumbling Mechanics’ Institute remains in heritage regulator Historic England’s sights.

The government agency, which is responsible for overseeing the list of nationally important heritage building, said it was working with the council and other partners to determine how the Railway Village building could be restored.

It came as an online petition calling upon Swindon Borough Council to compulsorily purchase the Grade II* listed Mechanics’ Institute hit almost 2,000 signatures. The building is on the Heritage at Risk register, a Historic England list of nationally-important buildings and monuments in danger of crumbling away.

The building is owned by Forefront Estates Ltd. The company had been dissolved in 2012 after Swindon Borough Council took the company to the High Court over debts incurred repairing the dilapidated building. Director Sarabijt Singh Dhanoa, formerly known as Matthew Singh, successfully applied in 2017 to restore the company – meaning it would once again take over ownership of the Mechanics’ Institute.

His return raised questions over the future of the 1855 construction, built as a theatre and reading room for GWR workers.

The council, Historic England and others are currently working on a new Heritage Action Zone, aimed at boosting investment in the Railway Village.

A spokeswoman for Historic England said: “The Mechanics' Institute remains a priority Heritage at Risk case for us. Partnership working is key to finding a resolution, and we are working very closely with Swindon Borough Council on this building and others through the upcoming Heritage Action Zone.

“We’re taking steps to determine the costs of restoring the building, and when those costs are known we’ll begin an appraisal of what the building could be used for.”

The Mechanics' Institution Trust said it would "achieve a great deal" for Swindon if the building was restored.