Lathams joins dismay at Derby Grade II 'demolition'
As one of the UK's leading specialists in the creative renewal of listed buildings, Derek Latham has been involved in a massive public outcry following the collapse of the roof at Derby's historic Hippodrome theatre.
A flat roof of the Grade II listed theatre building in Green Lane crashed down when it was touched by a giant mechanical pincer arm brought in to work on the site as part of a programme of repairs. The collapsing roof took with it part of the Crompton Street wall.
The incident has caused a huge public debate about events leading up to the accident and the future of this much-loved building.
In an article in the Derby Telegraph, Derek Latham expressed his bewilderment at the way contractors carried out repair work.
He said: "From looking at the pictures, I'm absolutely baffled that they would use the machines they did for a job like that. If a wall is unsafe, you put scaffolding up first and make it secure.
"Then you should work on it bit by bit. To use one of those big machines for such a job is surprising."
Lathams has taken a lead role in the creative renewal and reuse of existing buildings around Derby, with the most example being the Wokmania restaurant in St Werburgh's Church.
Derek added: ěThis is such a shame because that building is eminently reusable.
"Yes, it would take a lot of work and money to get it back up to standard but it is a Grade-II listed building and worth restoring. I know from the 100% positive feedback I have on my comments from the people of Derby that the public support for such a project is certainly there"