Test Valley Borough Council has issued a detailed statement on the long-running scaffolding surrounding the Ladbrokes building on Andover High Street, saying it shares residents’ frustration and remains committed to seeing the matter resolved.
The structure has now been in place for more than two years, dominating one of Andover’s busiest streets and drawing criticism from shoppers, traders and visitors alike.
A council spokesperson said:
“We absolutely share people’s concerns about the adverse impact of the scaffolding on the High Street. And we very much share their ambition to get this resolved once and for all.
“The fact the issue remains is not due to a lack of action from the council. From the moment the problem was first identified, our teams have worked tirelessly with those responsible for maintaining the building to make sure they complete the work. This has included ensuring we processed their application for listed building consent swiftly and efficiently, as well as agreeing details of the work that followed.
“We have made this a priority throughout but there is no straightforward solution that would enable us to require the repairs to be finished. Test Valley has no powers to charge for scaffolding in this scenario. Additionally, the scaffolding is in place to prevent the building from collapsing, so it cannot be removed until it is safe to do so.
“There has been progress on site and internal work has been undertaken, but the front of the building must be partially demolished and reconstructed to finish the repairs. Timescales for the completion of the works have slipped throughout the year. The most recent date for completion from the agents was the end of September, but this was clearly not met, and we are in correspondence with them about their revised timescale.
“Our position has not changed, and our commitment remains that we will continue to work with those responsible to ensure the works are completed as soon as possible.”
The comments follow growing frustration among residents who have described the scaffolding as a blight on the town centre.
Earlier this week, Entain, the parent company of Ladbrokes, told Love Andover that:
“This is an extremely complex project involving a listed building with a façade deemed at risk of collapse. As a result, we took all necessary precautions to safeguard the building including the scaffolding, which has been inspected and fully complies with all statutory requirements. Final works are set to begin shortly.”
However, there remains no confirmed start or completion date for the final works, and the structure continues to dominate the High Street.
Love Andover will continue to monitor progress and report any further updates from Entain or Test Valley Borough Council.