An empty West Cumbrian pub, which has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour, is set to be demolished.
Attempts to let the once-popular The Richmond, on Main Street in Hensingham, have proved unsuccessful and now James Hall Ltd has applied to knock it down.
It said: “The existing property has become a target for vandalism and is becoming increasingly derelict.
“The site has been advertised as to let for some time with no interest received in the site or in reopening the public house.”
James Hall Ltd, based in Lancashire, is a wholesaler for the Spar grocery chain. If its application to Copeland council is successful, it estimates that it will take a total of five weeks to remove asbestos and demolish the building down to basement level.
James Hall Ltd said: “The demolition works will be carried out between the hours of 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am – noon Saturday. Work is expected to take around three weeks including site set up.
“Asbestos removal work may be undertaken as a separate project prior to the demolition – this has an expected programme of two weeks.
“During all stages of the demolition works, best practicable means shall be employed to minimise noise and vibration produced by demolition operations.
“No crushing of material will be permitted on site. Where possible, imported or recycled demolition material will be used to infill the basement and bring the site up to a consistent level. No mounds or piles of demolition materials will be left on site.”
It is not known what will happen to the site after the pub is demolished.
