SCAFFOLDING is now complete to protect the facade of fire-damaged Cupola House in Bury St Edmunds.

A crane and cage are now being used to take material out of the 17th Century building in The Traverse, dismantling the top from above, following the blaze on the evening of Saturday, June 16.

This work is to address unstable structural timbers and needs to go ahead before removing debris in Skinner Street, which remains closed, can continue.

All the material being taken out is being recorded and, if it can be saved or used to make new pieces, it is being taken to storage.

The intention of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, which has taken the lead for the recovery phase, is that the building will be reinserted as soon and as far as possible.

The site has now been handed over by the fire service to the contractors.

Regular meetings continue to be held with the businesses and residents who have been affected by the event.

Businesses which remain closed are Sahara, Jessops and Bella Lingerie.

Information which has to date been posted on white boards in the town centre will now be available at Moyse’s Hall Museum. Signing on the fencing will direct passersby to Moyse’s Hall.

Residents are being invited to contribute memories of Cupola House to create a record of the role the building has played in the history of the town. The memories can be personal or historical and will be published on the borough council website.

Memories can be left at the Tourist Information Centre in Angel Hill or at Moyse’s Hall, or emailed to communications@stedsnc.gov.uk or posted to The Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU.