Wareham street reopens after hotel building safety concerns

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 16:29 · Archive

South Street in Wareham has partially reopened with temporary traffic lights after The Bear Hotel was closed due to structural damage.

South Street in Wareham has partially reopened with one lane of traffic and temporary lights after The Bear Hotel was closed on Sunday due to safety concerns. The BBC reports that part of the ceiling and masonry collapsed in a hotel bedroom, though the room was unoccupied and there were no injuries. Several nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution while emergency services and council officers assessed the risk.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called shortly before 1pm on Sunday to assist with concerns about the building. A crew from Bere Regis and an officer attended and remained at the scene until around 3.40pm. The road had been closed between Trinity Lane and the Red Lion pub due to fears debris could fall from the building and injure members of the public.

Dorset Council confirmed that structural engineers have made the scene safe with scaffolding and barriers. The pavement opposite The Bear has also reopened to pedestrians. In a statement, the council said: 'We are pleased to report that South Street opposite The Bear has now partially reopened to one lane. We would like to thank people for their patience while we had to close the road to ensure everyone's safety.'

The hotel's owners have appointed contractors to oversee necessary repairs to the building. Contractors Stuart Randall Construction said it would begin internal structural works on Thursday while scaffolding works continued on the outside. Some neighbouring shops and businesses remained closed on Monday but reopened on Tuesday.

The Bear Hotel issued a statement saying: 'We are truly grateful for the patience and support shown by our neighbours, guests and the community, and we thank Dorset Council and everyone on site for their hard work.' The Grade II* listed building, a former coaching inn known locally for the life-size stone bear on its entrance portico, was built in 1852.

How it is being reported

• Road partially reopens after hotel ceiling collapseSouth Street was closed on Sunday after a ceiling collapsed and the building was evacuated.BBC Dorset · 14 Oct, 16:12
• Street reopens after debris fell from hotel buildingPart of South Street in Wareham has reopened with temporary traffic lights after safety concerns at The Bear Hotel forced the road's closureBournemouth Echo · 14 Oct, 15:59
• Street reopens after debris fell from hotel buildingPart of South Street in Wareham has reopened with temporary traffic lights after safety concerns at The Bear Hotel forced the road's closureDorset Echo · 14 Oct, 15:31

In this story: Wareham · The Bear Hotel · South Street · Dorset Council · Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service · Stuart Randall Construction

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem