Specialist workers in white suits are on site ahead of parts of the iconic building being brought down

11:04, 10 Jul 2025Updated 11:57, 10 Jul 2025

Specialist workers the site on Thursday morning(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

Demolition work has started at the Hotspur Press building after it was gutted in a devastating fire.

A huge blaze erupted at the building – one of the city’s oldest surviving cotton mills, which was later repurposed as a printing press – on the evening of June 23.

More than 100 people were evacuated from nearby blocks of flats, while trains were stopped on the line near Oxford Road station.

Part of the building, which dates back to the 1800s, collapsed as the site was left a smoking ruin.

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Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said in the days after it was unsafe for investigation work to be carried out inside. They confirmed it would have to be partially demolished.

Parts of the building have been deemed to be unsafe(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

The Manchester Evening News has now been told that the work is underway.

Specialist workers are currently on site and carrying out preparation work.

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Pictures from the scene showed signs on the fencing around the site which read: ‘Danger. Demolition. Keep Out.”

Workers in white suits and wearing masks appeared to be hoovering the road.

Workers were today carrying out preparation work ahead of the demolition(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

The main demolition work is expected to be carried out overnight on Saturday, into the early hours of Sunday morning, when the nearby railway line is shut.

It is believed only the badly damaged and unsafe sections, close to Starbucks and HOME, are to be brought down.

The Manchester Evening News has been told these parts are deemed to be of an ‘imminent risk to the public’ and that no demolition works will be signed off unless strictly required in order to avoid further risk to the public.

A blaze ripped through the building last month(Image: MEN MEDIA)

Developer Manner had previously revealed plans for a 36-storey student tower which included retaining the façade and iconic ‘Percy Brothers’ signage at the mill, which closed as a printing press in 1996 and fell into dereliction in the intervening decades.

The building’s owner, the MCR Property Group, said they ‘recognise the cultural significance’ of the building and that ‘every care is being taken to protect what remains of the structure.

A spokesperson said: “Since the devastating fire at Hotspur Press two weeks ago, MCR Property Group, as the building’s owner, has been working closely with the developer Manner, Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police to ensure the site is made safe.

Fire investigators have yet been unable to get inside(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“Following a Section 78 notice issued by Manchester City Council Building Control, certain areas of the building have been identified for demolition to remove risk to the public.

“These works are now under way, including the clearance of Gloucester Street from remaining fire debris. Every care is being taken to protect what remains of the structure.

“Where possible, materials will be recovered and retained for potential future reuse, in a way that respects the site’s heritage.

The main work is expected to take place over the weekend(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“We recognise the cultural significance of Hotspur Press and remain committed to preserving what we can, while acting responsibly to ensure safety.

“This phase of safety works is expected to complete early next week, after which we will reconvene with stakeholders to agree the next steps.

“The priority will be to ensure the site is safe for investigation teams to access, while continuing to protect and save what we can.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said they were not currently in attendance.

They said they are waiting for the work to be carried out and that they would likely return to the site next week.