Princes Street fire: Council gives first details of work going on inside former Debenhams store
‘This is complicated and challenging work, and it needs to be carried out safely’
The city council has described how it plans to secure the facade of the fire-ravaged former Debenhams store in Princes Street as they attempt to make the building safe.
It is the first time the council has given any detail of the work going on at the scene of the July 9 fire. It also revealed that due to the unstable condition of the building some of the work is being carried out by workmen from the basket of a crane after being lowered in.
In the latest update, the council says: “Since the fire, the council has engaged structural engineers and a contractor to carry out works to make the building safe.
“There has been severe damage with much of the upper structure of the building destroyed or damaged. There are two gable walls and one dividing wall in the building and work is underway to secure these.
“One has already been reduced in height and has been supported with some additional structure.
“The plan is to complete work to the gables and to secure the front façade of the building with a retention structure. This structure will involve steelwork being secured to the façade of the building with additional reinforcement inside.
“Debris and dangerous material are being removed from inside the building and once this is done there may be some further works required to strengthen the remaining internal structure.
“This is complicated and challenging work, and it needs to be carried out safely. Due to the unstable nature of the building much of the initial work is being done by hand from above, using a crane with operatives in a basket.
“This work also requires pieces of stonework to be removed individually which adds to the timescale. Unfortunately, the wind will restrict when this can be done safely with even slight gusts causing work to be paused.
“All those working on the building are focussed on reducing the danger arising from the unstable structure so that Princes Street can be fully reopened.”
Council Leader Jane Meagher said the latest details demonstrated the complex and painstaking nature of the task at hand, and why making the building safe and restoring a key piece of Edinburgh’s heritage would take time.
She said: “Our focus remains on making sure that the public is safe, continuing our work on the site, and keeping the city moving.
“I’m acutely aware of the impact that the closure of Princes Street is having across the city each and every day, and I want to reassure everyone that we’re doing everything we can to ensure it reopens as soon as it’s safe to do so.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue to work closely alongside Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses to minimise disruption as much as we can across the network, particularly with the August festival season just around the corner.
“I want to repeat my thanks to everyone for their patience and understanding at this challenging time, but I’m confident we can still enjoy a fantastic summer here in the world’s cultural capital.”