As the invading forest of buddleia might suggest, the building is derelict; Mitchells ceased brewing their own beers in 1999 after 119 years in the city, due to a decline in the market for cask ales, though they retain an estate of almost 100 pubs across Lancashire and their 'Lancaster Bomber' bitter continues to be made by Thwaites.

Actually, I suspect this part of the complex, which I've always found attractive for its multi-level roofs, has been disused for longer.