Work begins on Royal Clarence restoration project

Project director Max Sayers said working on the project was a privilege

Work to restore the fire damaged Royal Clarence hotel building in Exeter has begun.

The building on Cathedral Green which dates back to 1769 was destroyed by fire in October 2016.

Developer Nooko, plans to build a combination of residential and commercial units, that honour the building's "elegance and cultural heritage", on the site.

Company director Max Sayers said the project was about returning "a piece of Exeter's soul to the city "in a way that's "thoughtful, sustainable and future-focused".

The developers plan to include as many original elements of the building as possible

The developer has said the project, due to be completed in 2027, would involve bringing the facade of the hotel building "back to life" to look much like it did before the fire.

Mr Sayers, who is from Exeter, said he was excited to be part of the restoration.

"What a privilege it is to be able to bring this building back to life," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to, in two years time, standing back and looking at what is a beautiful Cathedral Green, which is the beating heart of the city.

'Belongs to Exeter'

As part of the redevelopment, the developers are creating a community time capsule.

Exeter residents are encouraged to share their memories, photos, stories, letters or mementoes of Royal Clarence for the time capsule which will be placed in the building.

"The time capsule is our way of embedding the treasured memories of our community into the heart of the building," said Mr Sayers.

"So as we move forward into the next chapter of the building's story they are not forgotten but remembered as an actual piece of the Royal Clarence.

He added: "This building will be built by us, but it belongs to Exeter."