'Dangerous' derelict pub to be made safe

The Old Dog Inn closed in 2018

The owner of a "dangerous" derelict pub has started to make the building safe after the council threatened to step in.

The former Old Dog Inn in Preston, a Grade II-listed building, was showing partial signs of collapse in its rear wall.

Preston City Council had given the pub's owner permission to knock down and rebuild the wall.

The owner's work to make it safe came after the council said it would be forced to intervene and do the work itself.

The building, in Church Street, dates back to the 19th century.

It closed as a pub in 2018.

'So dangerous'

The council said after making several unsuccessful attempts to contact the owner it felt it had "no option" than to proceed in exercising its powers under section 78 of the Building Act 1984 to demolish the rear wall and prop the front facade.

A notice of intention was served with a date for the work to start stating the significant costs would be recovered from the owner through legislation.

Scaffolding went up on the site on Saturday.

'No option'

The council said it has contractors on site to ensure the necessary work is carried out and to provide any support required.

Councillor Amber Afzal, cabinet member of planning and regulation, said: "We had no option but to act immediately to ensure the safety of the contractors on site and the general public.

"We will endeavour to retain as much of the front facade as possible, due to the Grade II listing of the property."

He added: "The future of the property remains uncertain at this time."

Planning documents from earlier this year named the owner of the building as Asjed Rafiq.

The BBC has been unable to contact him for comment.