English Street in the town was this week closed after the former Treasure Cave store building was deemed as “unsafe”.
It has caused emergency diversions in Dumfries and will remain closed until further notice.
The incident has been described by Dumfries and Galloway Council as a “matter of urgency”.
During the week, a notice from Westlakes Demolition was placed on the boarded up front entrance of the building.
Explaining further, Westlakes Demolition then posted on their social media: “We were called to an emergency demolition job at Dumfries on Monday where a building is in immediate danger of collapsing.
“We will be working with the owner and Dumfries and Galloway Council over the coming days to start demolition works on the building.”
Meanwhile, a council spokesman said: “On Friday, April 22, it was necessary for our officers to impose an emergency road closure on English Street in Dumfries due to an unsafe building.
“Although a single lane had been closed on this road for a few weeks, both lanes had to be closed on Friday for public safety reasons. Diversions are in place.
“The owner is responsible for making the building safe. Our officers are speaking with the owner about the building so this situation is addressed as a matter of urgency.
“The safety of members of the public is our paramount concern and the road will remain closed until this is ensured.
“We will provide further updates as our discussions with the owner progress.”
The council also stated that Shakespeare Street – at the rear of the building – has been inspected but there are no plans to shut that road.
The spokesman added: “We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Businesses on English Street have been impacted by the road closure.
And T.N. McKay owner Callum Mckay, above, is one of those hoping for some clarity about whether he should remain open or not.
He said: “This has had an impact on us and other businesses on the street. We were closed earlier in the week as we weren’t sure of what the safety plans are.
“We’re all hoping this can be resolved sooner rather than later.”
