The mill destroyed in a devastating fire
Demolition work set to be carried out at Hotspur Press(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Demolition work is scheduled to be carried out at the fire-ravaged Hotspur Press building in Manchester city centre.
The historic mill, believed to be among the oldest in Manchester with parts dating to the 1790s, was heavily damaged when an enormous blaze broke out on June 23.
More than 100 people had to be evacuated from buildings nearby, with smoke being visible for miles.
Following the fire, an order for emergency demolition work was put in place.
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Work is set to be carried out over the weekend, beginning on Saturday night into Sunday morning, to minimise disruption to the train line running past it.
The Manchester Evening News visited the site on Friday (July 11). Machines were in place as workers prepared.
A spokesperson for MCR Property Group, which own the building, was present at the site.
(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
The firm said: “We’ve done a clean up process and there’s the sections that have been taken out.
“It’s all part of the of controlled works that we have been told to carry out. That’s happening on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
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“All the local shops have been notified of the works, the police are on standby to make sure that nobody enters.”
They added: “Currently we are doing the works we’ve been instructed to do to make it safe, which is the priority. Then we will take it from there.”
The fire has renewed controversy over why the building was not listed after culture secretary Lisa Nandy rejected a recommendation by Historic England to list the building.
Three heritage groups including SAVE Britain’s Heritage have submitted a Freedom of Information request demanding an explanation.