Express & Echo (City & East Devon Edition)
Concerns about ‘shocking’ state of key city landmark
CONCERNS have been raised over the “shocking” state of the front of Exeter’s Guildhall. For more than 800 years, the landmark has stood proudly on the High Street and during that time it has served many different purposes including as a prison, court house and police station.
Now it is regularly used by Exeter City Council for civic functions, full council meetings, official receptions, mayoral banquets and exhibitions. It is highly regarded as being of outstanding architectural interest and being an ancient monument.
Last July, work was completed to restore the jury room inside the building after water leaked through the old slate roof. However, concerns have now been raised that the frontage is showing signs of crumbling and that urgent works are required to prevent any further deterioration.
City council leader Phil Bialyk has assured its estates’ team regularly review the building and the concerns are being looked into.
Exeter resident Douglas Laing has spoken of what he has described as the “shocking neglect” of the historic
❝❝ My concern is essentially that the building is important not only to the people of Exeter but the wider community as well Douglas Laing
building. He said: “I drew this to the attention of the Labour leader of Exeter City Council some weeks ago and was assured it would be dealt with promptly. I suppose promptly means different things to different people? The build-up of moss which holds water should be removed immediately and a stonemason (Exeter Cathedral’s) be asked to advise on remedial work before the damage goes any further.
“My concern is essentially that the building is important not only to the people of Exeter but the wider community as well. As it’s Grade I-listed (the council) has a statutory obligation to maintain the building.
“The emphasis being on maintaining not waiting or allowing the building to deteriorate to the point where potential detailing in the stone facade may be lost. I understand from another person that the stone originated from Beer and that it is susceptible to absorbing water.
“My suggestion to (the council) is that it employs a suitably qualified firm to carry out regular checks and to advise them when intervention may be required. I don’t want to have a go at (the council) but I would like it to give some thought to its responsibilities.”
In an email in response to his concerns, Mr Bialyk said: “I understand your concern. I can advise you that the building is the responsibility of our estates team who review matters regularly. I will ask what the programme is for the frontage. The council has invested in the improvement of the jury room to the rear of the building, which is the oldest Guildhall in the country still being used for its original purpose, and that’s thanks to all of those working hard to keep it maintained.”
A city council spokesman added: “The council has recognised the ongoing issues in this area and is in the process of appointing a specialist consultant to determine a suitable approach to the ongoing preservation of this asset.”