A cherished historic building in Devizes, severely damaged by a blaze in November 2024, is now facing potential demolition after experts deemed it beyond repair.
The late 18th-century property on Northgate Street once housed a kebab shop on its ground floor, with residential accommodation above. The fire required a massive effort from dozens of firefighters who battled the flames for 14 hours to prevent its spread to adjacent buildings.
In the aftermath, the Kebab and Pizza House owners — who lived above the shop — tragically lost all their belongings. The community rallied, raising thousands of pounds through a fundraiser to support them.
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However, a detailed assessment by local surveyors Dolman has revealed the extent of the destruction: only the front and rear walls of the listed building remain intact. Structural engineers from Lark Cooper Red have reported that nearly all internal elements have either failed or lost their structural integrity.
The building’s owners have since submitted a planning application seeking approval to demolish the structure down to ground level. Contractor David Horton Ltd estimates that the demolition process will take around two weeks.
Once demolition is complete, a subsequent application to rebuild the property will be submitted. This two-step approach is intended to prioritize public safety, as the current state of the building has resulted in the closure of one side of Northgate Street—a vital route into Devizes town centre.
Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision on the demolition application in September.