Fire-hit Fisher’s Hotel is set for restoration
Plan drawn for listed building just weeks after blaze
A like-for-like restoration bid for Fisher’s Hotel in Pitlochry has been lodged with planners.
The hotel’s third floor was damaged by fire early on New Year’s Day, although thankfully all 200 guests escaped while 55 firefighters brought the blaze under control.
Impressively, just six weeks on from the fire, agents had submitted the first moves to reinstate the listed structure to full glory, with some potential additional improvements to add to safety and security.
The full scheme of proposals emerged this week, with two sets of plans submitted, one because of its listed property status, with a partner application also detailing the required works.
The proposed reinstatement will involve new windows, as well as temporary vehicle access to allow construction crews on to the site.
Supporting documents also show that fire service teams recommended a different fire alert system, upgrading this to a top level response. Fire safety guides say this is to ensure it is heard throughout any building.
It also stated that the smoke control doors in the hotel at the time “undoubtedly” aided its evacuation. The plans are to reinstate these.
In a submission to council planners, a spokesman for Construct Architects, acting on behalf of the Castle Collection group, said: “The fire report was inconclusive, but the indications were that the fire spread in the cavity between the lath and plaster and the stonework of the gable wall.
“The third floor roof between the two gable walls was destroyed. A large number of the third-floor joists were firedamaged and required to be replaced.”
He added: “The general philosophy in restoring the third floor and roof structure is to replace like-for-like where possible, and also pay homage to the original corridor and eight-room layout of the 1900s.”
Hotel staff and fire crews were praised for their quick response in the emergency. It saw a large 999 response and the community and rival hoteliers in Pitlochry add their support. The fire response forced the cancellation of the planned street party.
The gutted hotel after the fire