News / Grosvenor Hotel
Council could demolish Grosvenor Hotel
Due to a risk the former Grosvenor Hotel could collapse, a huge area around the historic building remains closed off for safety reasons.
Fences have surrounded the site since it was hit by a devastating fire in October 2022, drastically reducing the space for walking and cycling.
Bats could now block the demolition of the derelict hotel opposite Temple Meads.
is needed now More than ever
The Grosvenor was once one of Bristol’s grandest hotels – photo: Martin Booth
The owner of the hotel was ordered by a court to make the building safe but these works have not yet been done.
If bats are found to be roosting in the hotel, that could delay the demolition of the building even further; with the council possibly doing the work themselves if the owner continues his inaction.
Walking and cycling paths around the hotel have been blocked off for almost a year – photo: Martin Booth
Updates on the Grosvenor Hotel were given to councillors on the growth and regeneration scrutiny commission.
John Smith, executive director of growth and regeneration at Bristol City Council, said: “There has been a court order saying it has to be made safe. The work to complete that is out of date. It should have been done by now. We’re in ongoing discussions with the owner.
“Ultimately the council, through its enforcement control function, could carry the works itself. We would rather not do that because obviously it’s the responsibility of the owner and there are issues with costs.”
Ecologists have carried out a bat survey in the hotel and the results are due “any day”. If nesting bats have been found in the hotel, that could have a major impact on “when and how” the hotel is finally knocked down.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Meet the only resident of what was once Bristol’s grandest hotel
- Derelict hotel devastated by huge fire
- The long and sorry saga of the Grosvenor Hotel
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