Safety fears over 'dilapidated' former Ludlow coffee shop
Town councillors in Ludlow have called on Shropshire Council to make safe a "dilapidated" former coffee shop that they say poses a safety risk to people.
Ludlow Town Council said it has become increasingly concerned about the serious risks to public safety in King Street arising from the "dangerously dilapidated condition of the former Costa Coffee premises".
The coffee shop at 4-5 King Street closed in May 2023.
But the town council said following repeated calls for action without any progress, the council is now urging Shropshire Council's Building Control Team to "act without delay and to exercise their powers under the Building Act 1984 before an avoidable accident occurs."
In a statement, Ludlow Town Council said: "In the Town Council's view, the building is currently dangerous due to its worsening state of disrepair. There have already been reported incidents of debris and glass falling from the structure onto the public footpath below, posing a clear and unacceptable danger to pedestrians.
"Ludlow Town Council has no legal authority to compel the property owner, SEP Properties, or their contractor, Beaumanor, to undertake the necessary remedial works. However, the Council believes that decisive intervention from Shropshire Council is now essential to safeguard public safety.
"Ludlow is a beautiful and historic market town whose character and reputation depend on the care and maintenance of its buildings. Every property owner therefore has not only a legal duty to keep their premises in a safe and sound condition, but also a moral responsibility to protect the town's image and preserve its appeal for residents, visitors, and future generations.
"Shropshire Council, as the competent authority with statutory powers to act, shares this responsibility with property owners. The Town Council therefore calls upon Shropshire Council to take immediate and effective action to address the dangerous condition of 4-5 King Street and to uphold the safety, integrity, and reputation of Ludlow."
A spokesperson for Shropshire Council said: "Council officers met the building’s owner and a surveyor last month to check its condition and appearance, both inside and outside. The outside is in poor condition, and we know that people in the town are concerned about it. We have advised the owner that they need to carry out repairs soon, and they have agreed to do so once scaffolding is in place.
"The owners have advised that as well as repairing the building they also want to paint more of it, to improve its appearance, However, as part of the building sticks out over a narrow road they’ll need special scaffolding for this, and it makes sense to do this later, along with bigger planned improvements, to minimise disruption.
"The owner is planning to repair and reuse the whole building, including the empty bank next door. They want to turn the top floors into homes and have commercial space below. They’re now working with architects on designs and hope to share their plans with the council soon. We will then work closely with them to help ensure that the planned work is carried out as quickly as possible
"Building control officers also carried out a visual inspection of the building last week and confirm that, while the building needs some maintenance work, it is not classed as a dangerous structure."
