Council officials have contacted the owner of the empty and crum- bling property in Caledonian Place, just behind the High Street, after safety concerns were raised by sev- eral members of the public in the last few weeks.
And the landlord, who has not been identified, is being urged to secure it to stop access and prevent vandalism inside and out.
The matter was discussed at the most recent meeting of Lockerbie Community Council and this week Councillor Stephen Thompson revealed that it has now been inspected by the local authority’s building standards team. They subsequently wrote to the owner, advising them to make it safe.
If there is no action in response to the formal request within the next ten days, the council will then invoke its powers under the Building (Scotland) Act and carry out the minimum works necessary to safeguard the public.
Cllr Thompson advised that this will most likely take the form of protective Heras fencing.
Meanwhile, Cllr Gail Macgregor also described it as “utterly horrendous” and revealed the situation is causing issues for neighbouring property owners.
And community councillor Lucie Dudgeon issued a warning to townsfolk to stay away. She said: “Please avoid cutting through this area until it has been dealt with. Use the other access.
“If your kids are out warn them they are not to go near for their safety and that of others.
“This only needs the doors secured to prevent anyone getting in. The door has been knocked down due to its poor condition.”
Ashley Halliday welcomed the progress and said: “It’s great something is being done, I’ve had to report a num- ber of kids going into the building and smashing things up. It’s really not safe at all.”
