A road and two car parks are set to remain closed while emergency demolition work takes place on a former nightclub destroyed in a fire.
Two 14-year-old boys have been arrested and bailed in connection with the blaze that destroyed the former Tokyo Jo's nighclub and the vacant Odeon cinema on Church Street, Preston on Thursday evening.
Now, with several business in the area still forced to remain closed, Preston City Council has issued an update on when roads can be expected to reopen, with some still set to have to remain shut into Monday evening.
A statement said: “We are now at a position where we are working towards opening the road closure on Church Street to pedestrians and traffic.
“There will be a new safe cordon in place from the underpass of Old Cock Yard, across the footpath, closing the footpath along to Main Sprit Weind.
“The bus stop within the cordon will remain closed. This will allow businesses in this newly opened-up area to reopen.
“This is estimated to be in place later this evening.
“A further update on the time for this will be given in due course.
“Avenham Street and the businesses in the area will have to remain closed at the moment for the Fire Service personnel required on site.
“This is expected to be at least until Monday afternoon.
“The road closures to Syke Street and Glovers Court will also remain in place until at least Monday afternoon.
“This does mean that unfortunately the two Avenham Car Parks affected will have to also remain closed.
“Once this new cordon is in place, the road diversions around Old Vicarage and across the Flag Market will be removed and the normal flow of traffic can resume.
“We would like to thank the businesses of Preston and members of the public for their co-operation and understanding during this time.”
A police investigation is still ongoing into the cause of the fire, which at its height saw 12 fire engines with two aerial ladders called to the scene.
Lancashire Police and the fire service are still working together to determine the cause of the blaze.
