Council offices closed after RAAC found in roof

The lightweight concrete has been found in the roof of the building used as offices for council staff

Offices used by council staff on the top floor of a shopping centre have been closed due to concerns about potentially unsafe concrete.

The roof of Poole Hub above Poole Library in The Dolphin shopping centre, Poole, has been found to have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) during a recent inspection.

BCP Council said, as a precaution, it had "temporarily closed this floor to our staff who are being offered alternative office accommodation".

The Dolphin said Poole Library remained open. The affected floor of the building is not open to the public.

The Dolphin said Poole Library would remain open but the upper floor of the Poole Hub would remain closed

John Grinnell, centre manager of The Dolphin said: "Our structural and building engineers are monitoring the situation and discussing solutions, ensuring there is no risk to the library's staff and its visitors."

The Dolphin and BCP Council said they were working closely together to reach a "swift resolution".

The Dolphin (originally The Arndale Centre) said it was initially constructed in 1969, at a time when RAAC was commonly used in the construction of public buildings.