IT is hoped that a turning point to save the listed part of The Raven Hotel is near, as work is carried out to ensure the public is safe from the devastated building.
Wychavon District Council has begun to install a buttress against the scaffold at the hotel.
And, while council leaders have admitted efforts to ensure ‘urgent works’ on the building are taking longer than expected, campaigners are hopeful recent developments are a step in the right direction.
The works, which are expected to be completed by the end of the week, will strengthen the structure, provide extra support, and allow regular monitoring.
Security remains in place, with repaired Heras fencing and a 12-hour daily presence provided by the owners, Live Urban Two Ltd.
Although the building is privately owned, the council is overseeing safety measures for reasons of public safety.
A spokesperson for the authority said it will follow normal debt recovery procedures to recover all costs incurred.
A fire broke out at the Raven Hotel in August.
Emergency services attended, and the building was made safe to enter once the fire was extinguished.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Last month, Raven Heartbeat was set up to save the listed part of the former hotel building.
Members of the group took to Facebook to say the work was a step in the right direction and hoped it was the beginning of what is to come in the preservation of the Raven.
Coun Richard Morris, Leader of Wychavon, said: “Work is taking place to install a buttress against the scaffold at the Raven Hotel to strengthen the structure, provide extra support, and allow regular monitoring.
“While the building remains the responsibility of the private owner, we are carrying out this work to ensure the safety of the public.
“We will be following our normal debt recovery procedures to recover all costs incurred from the owner.
“Work is ongoing, with partners, to bring pressure on the owner to deliver urgent works on this historic building, which is a vital part of Droitwich Spa and Wychavon’s history.
“This is taking longer than we had hoped, but fellow councillors and I are working with officers to explore every angle to try and achieve the necessary outcome.”
Coun Dan Birch added: “Personally, I hope we are nearing a turning point.
“For now, Wychavon will continue to use all its powers to ensure the building remains safe, and by taking these steps, we hope to avoid further damage occurring.
“I can promise you, I want to see this building saved and will continue to do all I can as a councillor to see that happen.”
