Fire-damaged former hotel building demolished

The former hotel site in Northampton was damaged by two fires in a year

A building damaged by two fires in the space of a year has been completely demolished.

The blaze ripped through the former Balloon Bar and Angel Hotel on Bridge Street, Northampton in August 2023.

Another fire in May at the former Fat Cats bar, which was part of the same building, also caused extensive damage.

The road remained closed and West Northamptonshire Council previously said the owners of the building had to complete the work by 6 September.

The building, pictured here after the May fire, has been damaged several times since the first blaze in 2012

It is one of the busiest areas of town in the evening, with many nightclubs and restaurants.

Several businesses on the street said the road closure had affected trade.

Northampton's Business Improvement District said: "Once the demolition work has been carried out and the area has been made safe again, Bridge Street will be reopened to traffic.

"This is a complex demolition and West Northamptonshire Council has weekly meetings on site so that they can regularly monitor the work."

Bridge Street in Northampton remains closed but it is hoped it will reopen when the site is made safe