Published: September 17, 2008
Fire-hit Highbridge Hotel 'will not be demolished' says property owner

The owner of the fire-ravaged Highbridge Hotel has said this week there are "no plans to demolish the building."

Derek Mead, who owns the property, told Burnham-On-Sea.com that he wants to restore the building to its former glory, rather than start from scratch.

The building, pictured, was left in an unstable condition following a huge fire in April and has been sealed off with safety barriers ever since.

"There is no talk of demolishing the hotel," said Mr Mead this week, adding: "We hope to get a new roof on the property in the next few months."

He also confirmed that plans are still being worked on for both the hotel site and market site, and that more details would be available soon. "We'll be meeting with the regeneration group soon to discuss our plans and then will formally submit them."

He conceded that the work is "behind schedule" and blamed this "in part to tough market conditions."

Mr Mead also said that an insurance claim made in the wake of April's fire has "now been settled."