Sudbury building destroyed in town centre fire to rise from the ashes as work begins

The huge blaze at the Market Hill, end of Friars Street in Sudbury in 2015. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Construction of the new commercial property to replace the 19th century Goldsmith’s Mansion in Friars Street, which was razed to the ground by fire in September 2015, is expected to be completed next year.

The major blaze in 2015 left 20 people homeless after an electrical fault in the Celebrities Nails premises, and Friars Street was closed to traffic for nearly 18 months while a clear-up operation took place.

Building which was destroyed in Sudbury fire is under construction. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Manningtree-based Rose Builders will construct the property at 41-42 Market Hill and the new three-storey building will fill the gap between the former Anchor Inn and HSBC bank.

When completed in autumn next year, the property will provide a retail and restaurant space with six flats.

Firefighters and emergency services at the scene of the huge blaze at the Market Hill end of Friars Street in Sudbury in 2015. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Designed by local architects, Wincer Kievenaar, and marketed by Fenn Wright, the building will retain a similar façade to the original listed building it will replace.

Wincer Kievenaar has also worked closely with Peter Minter from the Bulmer Brick and Tile Company, to ensure the design incorporates Bulmer Bricks – the same type used in the original Goldsmith’s Mansion.

Firefighters and emergency services at the scene of the huge blaze at the Market Hill end of Friars Street in Sudbury in 2015. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Set-up work will be carried out over the next few weeks before construction starts in the new year.

The site compound will be formed using open mesh panels, so that shops in Friar Street can still be seen from Market Hill, mitigating any impact on business trading.

Firefighters and emergency services at the scene of the huge blaze at the Market Hill end of Friars Street in Sudbury in 2015. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

It will also ensure oncoming vehicles, as well as vehicles entering and leaving the compound, are visible to one another.

The passing public will also be able to see the work progressing.

Firefighters and emergency services at the scene of the huge blaze at the Market Hill end of Friars Street in Sudbury in 2015. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

For the next few months, a traffic diversion will be in place – which will see one lane closed on the B1115 approaching Market Hill.

The diversion has been timed to take advantage of a ‘window of opportunity’ between the Sudbury Christmas Fair and other works by Suffolk County Council in the summer.

The major Sudbury blaze in 2015. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

The footpath and layby directly in front of the site will be closed until completion, although access to the ATM at HSBC will remain accessible to members of the public.