Workmen tear down pub

Demolition men have finally begun to tear down a derelict pub in Telford, bringing to an end a two-and-a-half-year wait for residents.

See also: Demolition crew rip up pub

A giant excavator is now on site in the centre of Leegomery.

The first stage of a multi-million regeneration scheme follows a devastating fire in July 2005 - blamed on an electrical fault - which ripped through a Spar shop, post office, pharmacy and other properties in Leegate Avenue, causing £250,000 damage.

The nearby Thomas Telford pub, off Pool Farm Avenue, suffered a slump in trade after the blaze and was later closed and boarded up.

The public house was damaged by vandalism and arson and lined up for demolition as part of a proposal to create a new centre for Leegomery.

However residents’ objections to developers’ proposals and delays in obtaining planning approval meant the centre of Leegomery remained an eyesore months after work was due to have been started.

Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council received several complaints from residents wanting to know when something would be done to restore their local centre.

But work has now started on demolishing the pub, with a chip shop and learning centre due to be demolished in later phases of the scheme.

The developer, Redrow, will build five shops, 71 homes, a day care facility for the charity Listen & Care and provide public space in the centre.

Dave Woodhall, of Code Construction Demolition, said his team hoped to have the pub site flattened by the end of tomorrow afternoon.