Crumbling hotel isn’t danger to public

THE crumbling Blue Bell Hotel doesn’t pose an immediate danger to the public despite its shocking state of neglect, council inspectors have ruled.

Annandale North Councillor Carolyne Wilson requested a fresh look at the prominent Lockerbie building after residents raised serious concerns about its derelict condition.

So, council officers recently revisited the site to carry out a close examination of the corner masonry and the gable.

Feeding back their conclusion, Councillor Wilson confirmed: “Although the building is in poor decorative condition and in a general state of disrepair, the underlying masonry was found to be sound.

“No loose material was identified that would present an immediate danger to public safety at this time.”

Officials stated the visible issues relate to cosmetic disrepair and appearance rather than structural failure, meaning it fails to meet the threshold for emergency intervention.

However, the building will be reassessed immediately if its condition worsens.

Despite the reassurances, community councillor Jan Andrews warned that a “wide crack” has opened up around the back of the property, whilst Councillor Wilson herself noted that “a bit of the side has fallen off”, which she intends to flag up with officials.

Meanwhile, some residents took to social media at the weekend to warn paint and tiles were coming off the eyesore building and sharing their concerns about it.