Officials in Coventry could take action after another fire hit the old hotel

Coventry City Council is not ruling out enforcement action after another fire broke out at a derelict hotel in the city. But ordering the demolition of buildings “is not simple”, added a spokesman for the authority.

The council also plans to meet with the building’s owners and said it has been working with various groups on issues at the site. The statement comes days after fire crews from four areas of the city were sent to tackle a blaze at the former Allesley Hotel on Sunday 5 May.

Police confirmed yesterday, Monday, May 6, that they are treating the incident at the vacant building in Birmingham Road as arson. It is the second fire at the site suspected of being deliberate in four months and the fourth in less than two years.

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Today, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked the council whether it will take steps to improve the site’s security and prevent future attacks. We also asked if it would take enforcement action against the owner and what, if any, plans there are to redevelop the site.

A council spokesman said: “Agencies are in regular and close contact regarding issues at the property. We will review the latest incident and consider what action we need to take and await reports from West Midlands Fire Brigade and the Police.

“We have been working jointly to address the ongoing issues at the Allesley Hotel with West Midlands Fire Brigade and the Police. A series of meetings and conversations took place with the site’s owners – and enforcement powers were used for previous incidents.

“We will also meet with the owners of the site and do not rule out using any enforcement powers we have at our disposal. However, orders to order the demolition of buildings are not straightforward and must follow a number of legal steps.

“Police have increased patrols at the site and there are surveillance cameras and the like. We ask that all members of the public refrain from visiting the scene and if they see anyone trespassing, call the police on 999.”

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