It was the owner of the Mechanics’ Institute in Railway Village who made contact with the leader of Swindon Borough Council,  giving some hope of progress on the building.

The council’s Labour cabinet has agreed a plan called the Route Map for the Mechanics, intended to bring the Grade II-listed Victorian building back into use.

One of the major issues, aside from finding a use for the building and millions of pounds in funding to restore it, is to secure the co-operation and agreement of the building’s owners Forefront Estates.

The company has owned the building since 2002 and has done nothing with it since then, and the borough council has a charge on the building to try and recover £500,000 of the money it has spent, on urgent repairs.

Councillor Robbins was asked by the chairman of the scrutiny committee, Councillor Dale Heenan, who had previous responsibility for the building when he was a cabinet member, how the council had got the owners to respond.

Cllr Robbins said: “The owner phones me up. It turns out we have some mutual acquaintances, which has been helpful.

“Apparently he was speaking to people in the heritage sector and he felt it was time to get back in touch."

Cllr Heenan asked whether the council would still pursue Forefront estates for the £500,000. Cllr Robbins said negotiations were ongoing.

Companies House lists one officer of Forefront Estates - Sarabjit Singh Danda.