Work has started to demolish the last remaining former John Player tobacco warehouse in Nottingham. The landmark building, which was one of three in the city to store tobacco, will be torn down before student accommodation is built on the University of Nottingham Jubilee Campus.
The demolition of the building, which has stood off Triumph Road in Lenton since the 1930s, has been described as a shame by the Nottingham Civic Society. The university plans to create a 280-bed halls of residence near the site as part of Project Xenia - named after the ancient Greek concept of hospitality.
Until 2017, the site was occupied by warehouses which had served the John Player tobacco firm. However, the University of Nottingham said Total Reclaims Demolition will remove it by September.
Read more: Plans reveal how former John Player warehouses in Lenton could be redeveloped
Hilary Silvester, executive chair of the city's civic society, said the 'unique' building was important to the history of Nottingham. "It's very much to be regretted, we did appeal for it to be listed," she told Nottinghamshire Live.
"There were three once upon a time. One of the most important things about it was the architecture was unique. It was made from reinforced concrete which at that time nobody else was using. It was a landmark, a lot of people said 'they are not going to pull that down are they? It is a landmark'.
"It was one of the three big industries of Nottingham. It is a shame as it's important to the industrial and social history of Nottingham, it was a big part of the city." A spokesperson for the University said: “There is a notice in with respect to clearing the last of the bonded warehouse blocks on Jubilee Campus. The application was submitted at the end of May.
"This is the last phase of demolition. It is scheduled for completion in September. The demolition is not linked to any other plans for development at this time."
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