Campaigners saddened over partial demolition of historic blaze-hit factory

CAMPAIGNERS HAVE voiced their dismay at the partial demolition of one of South Yorkshire’s most historic former factories, which was gutted by fire.

Flames tore through the Grade II-listed Guest and Chrimes building in Rotherham earlier this month, and part of the premises has now been demolished for what the owners described as “safety reasons”.

The 19th-century building, beside Rotherham United’s New York Stadium, has been described as nationally significant given Edward Chrimes invented the forerunner to the modern domestic tap and the firm once employed thousands of workers.

Rotherham Council, which owns the former works, and Rotherham United, which has been granted a long lease on the premises, announced it had been decided the structure could not be salvaged in its entirety.

In a statement, they said: “Following initial advice from Historic England, an independent structural engineer has been consulted and has concluded that a section of the Guest and Chrimes building requires immediate demolition for safety reasons.”

A further assessment will be made on the last section of the frontage.

Howard Greaves, from the campaign group Hallamshire Historic Buildings, said: “This is a very nice building which is of national importance so it’s a very sad day for Rotherham, which has precious little heritage. Hopefully they will be able to salvage at least some of this building, which could be turned into very nice riverside accommodation.”

Mr Greaves added that the fire, which broke out in the early hours of Sunday, July 1 and sent smoke billowing across the town centre, again illustrated the need for better security at historic buildings which had been left unoccupied.

Valerie Bayliss, who is leading efforts to save Sheffield’s Old Town Hall, said: “It’s a great shame but I’m afraid when you get a building that’s left empty for years and years, there’s often a fire.”