Update: Market Street Shut Until Sunday As Fire-Hit Longton Building Is Demolished

A fire-damaged building on Market Street in Longton is being demolished this weekend, after two earlier attempts were postponed.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has closed a section of Market Street near Times Square from 7pm on Thursday 24 September until 3pm on Sunday 27 September while a specialist contractor carries out the work.

Buses to Bentilee and Meir that normally stop on Market Street will call at Longton bus station instead.

This is the third attempt to demolish the former commercial building. Work planned for July was postponed twice.

The council has blamed those postponements on the failure of private contractors commissioned by the building's owners.

A council spokesperson said: "A previous attempt to demolish the building had to be postponed after the contractor was unable to proceed. They have now confirmed that the work will take place. Businesses affected by the work are also being contacted directly by the contractor."

The building was damaged in two fires late last year, according to the council.

In a statement on Monday 21 September, a council spokesperson said: "Since then, our building inspectors have continued to monitor the site and have raised concerns about the safety and stability of the remaining structure."

Six Towns Daily reported on Friday 18 September that the demolition was set to go ahead this week.

Six Towns Daily will provide further updates if more information is released by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.