Early 19th century building was due to be incorporated into 600-bed student housing scheme designed by Hodder & Partners
More than 400 people have signed a petition to rebuild a historic Manchester mill building which was destroyed in a fire last week.
The Hotspur Press building was due to be incorporated into plans for a 37-storey student accommodation tower designed by Hodder & Partners for local developer Manner.
A major incident was declared by the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Monday 23 June after flames The blaze saw more than 20 fire engines attend the scene, as well as two aerial units and more than 100 firefighters.
The GMFRS has said some of the surviving structure, which dates to 1801, would need to be demolished.
It comes just over a year after Manchester council unanimously approved Manner鈥檚 plans for the site鈥檚 600-bed redevelopment, which would have preserved much of the mill鈥檚 exterior including its famous 鈥楶ercy Brothers鈥� signage.
The petition, launched last week, is calling on the council and 鈥渁ll relevant developers鈥� to commit to rebuilding the mill 鈥渇aithfully and fully - in its original form鈥�. It has a total of 410 signatures as of today (Monday 30 June).
鈥淭he recent fire has robbed Manchester of one of its most iconic and historic buildings, a cornerstone of the city鈥檚 skyline and industrial heritage,鈥� the petition says.
鈥滺otspur Press was not just bricks and mortar 鈥� it was a living reminder of the city鈥檚 printing legacy, a symbol of Manchester鈥檚 character and soul.
鈥淲hat we don鈥檛 need is another anonymous block of luxury flats that serve investors over residents. We are tired of seeing our history erased for profit. We demand that what is rebuilt reflects the identity, memory, and voice of the people who actually live here.鈥�
Manner is yet to respond to the petition.
A spokesperson for the developer described the fire as 鈥渉orrific鈥�, adding that it had been 鈥渢ruly heartbreaking鈥� to see it spread through the building.
鈥淥ver the last two years we have worked conscientiously to develop a plan for the regeneration of The Hotspur Press that would celebrate its rich history and heritage,鈥� Manner said.
鈥淲e are absolutely devastated to see the extent of the damage that has been caused, and it is incredibly hard to come to terms with what is now left of this important building.
鈥淥ur thoughts are with all those who have been affected, and we thank the fire crews who have worked tirelessly at the scene to bring the fire under control.
The firm said it was assisting the emergency services with the investigation to understand the cause of the fire.
Manner鈥檚 scheme has already been hit by an eight-month delay caused by an anonymous application to list the building which was rejected by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport last year.
The developer鈥檚 managing director Richard James , saying that it 鈥渄oes not feel right that one anonymous application can lead to eight months of delay and uncertainty鈥�.
Hotspur Press has been vacant since it closed as a printing press in 1996 after 94 years.
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