The future of an abandoned nightclub building in Swindon that has been empty for five years is up in the air. 

The Medina nightclub in Theatre Square closed abruptly in 2018 and the building - owned by Swindon Borough Council - has sat unused ever since. 

But there were signs life would be breathed back into it this year when some Conservative councillors started to explore the possibility of it being used as a centre for the town's Goan community. 

But now those plans have been thrown into doubt.

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Leader of the Labour-led council Jim Robbins has questioned its viability after visiting the building himself.

He said: "Ahead of the election, there were regular updates to the Goan community from the Conservatives making all sorts of outlandish claims about the Medina nightclub becoming a community centre for them," said Coun Robbins.

"Along with councillors Adorabelle and Imtiyaz Shaikh, I had a tour of the building yesterday and it is hard to see that it would be suitable for use as a community centre.

"There is no access for people with disabilities, no designated parking for the centre and the building is in a poor state of repair after significant water leaks, a rodent infestation and there is asbestos in various parts."

The community centre plans were kickstarted by Tory councillors Annabelle Pegado, John Barreto and Lourenco Fernandes, who visited the venue twice in March and April to assess it. 

It was agreed the council would carry out a conditions survey on the building before a decision was made by the Goan community to move ahead. 

The last known update from council officers is that the local authority has been waiting for the previous tenant to clear the building so that the survey could be completed. 

The council is paying business rates on the building while it lies empty. The Conservative councillors say the cabinet member at the time pledged £100,000 towards the initial operating costs to help get the centre started. 

The May local elections which saw the transfer of power in the council transfer from the Conservatives to Labour stalled the progress and delayed the promised site survey.

Now councillors Pegado and Fernandes are tabling a motion that will be heard during next week's council meeting asking for the local authority to commit to getting the survey done within 90 days and to commit to the pledged financial contribution. 

Coun Pegado said: "Officers agreed to commission a condition survey to find out exactly what needed to be done to the building and how much money would be required for renovations before we made a final decision.

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"I am disappointed that things appear to have stalled but am now in contact with officers and hope to soon have the news that will enable us to proceed with taking this building in if that is what the Goan community wish."

Coun Robbins added an investigation would be carried out to determine where the pledged £100,000 from the centre was going to come from - and why this didn't appear in the budget or any cabinet member decision notes.  

The club was the subject of an urban exploration video posted late last year showing it still remains largely unchanged from when it closed - but is in need of work. 

Coun Robbins added his administration was keen to support the Goan community if they did want a community centre. 

He said: "Our intention is to work closely with the Goan community, as we would with any group, to ensure that they have a clear and sustainable business plan for any community centre and will then try to find the most appropriate building for them to use."