Arsonists strike at empty pub

Concerns have been raised about the security of an empty pub that has been set on fire twice in the past three months.

The Bridge Inn on Lincoln Road, Newark, was targeted by arsonists again on Friday night.

A police spokesman said they received a call just after 10pm reporting someone trying to break into the pub. She confirmed they were treating the fire as arson.

Fire crews from Newark were called soon after to put out a small blaze in the lounge area on the ground floor.

It follows a previous arson attack in October when youths are believed to have broken in by throwing bricks at a window.

There are claims the pub is used for drinking and drug-taking.

Boards have been put up over all the ground-floor windows and doors but there are shattered windows on the first floor. Broken glass is strewn around the outside of the building.

The chairman of the Bridge Safer Neighbourhood Group, Mrs Gill Dawn, said she intended to make the building one of their priorities.

Mrs Dawn said: “It is a constant source of concern.

“Apart from being an absolute eyesore for the area it is very dangerous. Youngsters are in and out of it constantly.

“It seems they can quite easily find their own access into the place. They use it for illegal drinking and drug-taking.”

Mrs Dawn, who is also a district councillor for the area, feared another fire would destroy the building.

“It really is a disgrace that a property can be left like that in what is partially a residential area, particularly when we are making a move to clean the area up,” she said.

The site is owned by Newark firm Derry Properties, which bought it from Enterprise Inns about five months ago.

A director, Mr Daniel Derry, said they were on the verge of signing contracts for the site.

Mr Derry described the prospective buyer as “a very well-known, large company who will be looking to develop the site as soon as possible.”

He would not say what kind of company it was, but said the plans would be good for the property and for the area.

“It is a good amount of investment for the area from the right sort of investors,” he said.

He said he would not be surprised if the building was demolished in the very near future.

Mr Derry said they had considered flattening the building themselves to remove any health and safety issue.

He said they did have plans for the site but decided to sell it instead because of the problems.

“There has been constant vandalism and constant fly-tipping,” he said.

Mr Derry said there had been dirty nappies and shopping trolleys full of rubbish dumped outside.

“The most unimaginable awful things are being left there,” he said.

He and his father, Mr William Derry, who is also a director of Derry Properties, went to the site to clear it up themselves.

Mr Derry said they reboarded the pub about ten times because of the repeated vandalism.

He said those getting inside were unlikely to be youths or children.

“You have got to have a pretty determined and sustained attack on those boards,” he said.