Historic hotel salvageable after fire, experts say

Droitwich Civic Society said if Notre Dame could be rebuilt, so could the hotel

Parts of a centuries-old hotel gutted by fire are still "salvageable", experts have said.

The blaze, believed to have been deliberately stared, tore through the black and white timbered Raven Hotel in Droitwich Spa on Sunday, causing parts of the Grade II listed building to collapse.

Heritage architect Christian Montez, who inspected the hotel, said he was "shocked" at the damage, but parts could "definitely" be saved.

Droitwich Civic Society has said if Notre Dame can be rebuilt after the devastating fire in Paris, the spa town's landmark hotel can be rebuilt too.

Parts of the Grade II listed former Raven Hotel dated back to the 15th Century

Mr Montez, who was there as Historic England met the building owners Inroka Limited and councillors on Tuesday to talk about next steps, said the main structure dated back to the 15th Century.

He said it was an important building for the town and, despite the extent of the damage, added that posts and trusses were still standing.

"There is structure still within the building," he said.

The architect said the owners already had permission to demolish 60% of the site at the back of the building, with the core parts and oldest sections remaining.

He said: "The likelihood is that demolition will happen to the rear, bringing down the wall in the middle and then securing what's left, and then clearing it for a proper assessment of what survives."

The blaze gutted the building, parts of which are thought to date back more than 500 years

John Armstrong, from Droitwich Civic Society, said: "There's no reason why the Elizabethan part of the Raven can't be saved.

"If the French can save Notre Dame, pulling together, we can save the Raven for the future.

"That would be something to be really proud of, and something the people of Droitwich Spa can look forward to."

Wychavon District Council leader Richard Morris said Tuesday's meeting was "very constructive".

He said Historic England representatives looked at the hotel and said there was a "saveable" building.

"Their impression before they arrived, was that it was ashes," he added.

A spokesperson for Historic England said one of its specialist structural engineers would assess the building, and added the organisation was providing advice to the council.

Two girls, 13 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of arson and have since been released on bail.