‘Danger’ building is fenced off by safety officers
A 19th CENTURY building has been fenced off after council officials said it was in ‘imminent danger of collapse.’
The much-loved Northern Quarter block on Thomas Street currently has only one tenant, the popular Al-Faisal rice-and-three takeaway.
The condition of the remainder of the city centre building has been a concern for some time, but recent stormy weather appears to have taken its toll.
During inspections last week, it is understood building control officers found internal walls were bowing and some parts must be removed.
Urgent action was deemed necessary and the block was fenced off, meaning Thomas Street is partly closed to vehicles.
Al-Faisal remains open business.
A Manchester council spokesman said: “Our building control officers have been engaged with owner of the property on Thomas Street for some time.
“The condition of the building means there is an imminent danger of collapse and a potential for threat to pedestrians. Unfortunately, the poor weather has only served to add to our concern over the safety of the building.
“A conservation specialist will be on site working closely with the building owner to ensure as much of the fabric of the property can be retained as possible, and only parts that are unsalvageable will be removed to ensure public safety.”
The threat to the building has sparked fresh anger in the Northern Quarter community, with a number of historic blocks falling into disrepair.
Just last week, Fred Done’s property firm Salboy partly demolished a block on Shudehill and Back Turner Street where they have plans to build flats.
A spokesman said at the time that specialist surveyors had discovered an ‘internal collapse’ which had escalated raising ‘very serious concerns about the structural stability of the building.’
After consultation with Manchester council, the decision was made that full demolition was ‘the only feasible option.’
The Thomas Street building is owned by Agrecroft Investments.
An Agecroft statement read: “Once the works are complete we will continue our discussions with the council and local stakeholders to bring forward a development that breathes new life into this location.”