Collapsed building road to stay shut for 'weeks'

A city centre road that was partially closed over six months ago after a building collapsed is likely to remain shut for "several more weeks" as work continues.

A section of the derelict building collapsed into Dale Street in Bradford last December, leading to its immediate closure.

With the unsafe building now demolished, scaffolding has been put up around neighbouring buildings.

Councillor Andrew Judson, executive member for economy, regeneration and planning, said work undertaken by the property's owners was "progressing well" and once finished, the site would be secured and the road re-opened.

Bradford Council said the demolition had been made more difficult because the derelict section was linked to a block of flats on one side and a café on the other.

Although the property has now been demolished, scaffolding has been put up around neighbouring buildings by contractors Jennings of Pudsey.

Loose masonry on those buildings is being rebuilt and apertures that are now open to the elements are being blocked up, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Grade-II listed property dates back to the 1870s, and before the collapse had been in poor condition for years, with vegetation growing out of the stonework.

At the time, the ground floor shop unit to the front of the structure, Falafel and Juice, was the only part of the building that was occupied.

A planning application for the restoration of the structure was submitted in February 2024 by A&J Investment Management Limited.

The application said the building would provide a "prime opportunity" for businesses looking to establish themselves in the city centre.

Conservation officers had welcomed the move, describing the building as a "highly elaborate four storey block with fine Italianate detailing."

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