Relief as demolition starts at fire-hit kebab house

Traders hope a fire-hit building which has caused months of disruption can finally be cleared up.

The kebab house on Northgate Street in Devizes, Wiltshire, was damaged by fire in November 2024, leading to road closures which local businesses say have caused them ongoing issues.

Ron Marsh, who runs a bric-a-brac stall at the nearby Shambles Market, said: "Hopefully it will get cleared up so everyone can come back into the market and everybody can earn a living."

Wiltshire Council said it recognised it has been a difficult time and will do what it can to support local businesses.

Angela Cummins of the Market Place Launderette said the time since the fire has been "horrible", adding she has lost up to 50% of trade due to the reduction in footfall.

She said: "The windows and the paintwork are always dirty...I've not long had it all painted. I have to have my windows cleaned all the time [due to dust from the kebab house]."

The plan is to demolish the Grade II-listed privately-owned kebab house within a month. Its listed status has been one of the complications to date.

There are hopes that this will allow the reopening of the street to vehicles in both directions, for the first time since December 2024.

The lane closure has led to a build-up in traffic in the town at peak times.

But it will be a long time before the town centre returns to normal, local councillors have warned.

Councillor Iain Wallis said: "It's [going to take] three weeks for them to get rid of what's there, then they have three months to put in an application to rebuild.

"Whatever is going to be rebuilt there will then have to be approved by Wiltshire Council.

"I would say we are talking a couple of years before everything is back to normal. Thankfully for most of that time, the road will be open."

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, thanked local people for their patience during a "difficult time" and a "very complex situation".

He added: "We will continue to work closely with the building owner to support the safe completion of the works.

"We recognise the ongoing challenges this has caused for local businesses, and are grateful for their continued understanding as the works move forward."

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.