Midhurst Residents Call For Action On Fire-Damaged Angel Inn

Three years after a major fire destroyed the Angel Inn, Olive and Vine restaurant, and a nearby sweet shop, residents and businesses in Midhurst are calling for action on the site.

The frontage of the Grade-II listed building has remained behind scaffolding since the blaze on 16 March 2023.

Local business owners say the blocked section of North Street has affected footfall and contributed to the closure of 17 businesses in the town since the fire.

Historic England has said it does not oppose demolition, but listed building consent would need a structural engineer’s report explaining why other options are not feasible.

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), which oversees planning in the area, confirmed structural surveys have been carried out and that proposals could include partial demolition while retaining or reusing parts of the building.

Several business owners say action is needed quickly to protect the high street.

Eleanor Cope, co-owner of Kemaelli’s Café, said removing the front wall could be the best option to allow the town to recover.

Stephane Jacob, owner of Midhurst Bakery, added that after three years “work needs to be done now.”

West Sussex County Councillor Yvonne Graveley confirmed that the building owners will meet SDNPA to discuss redevelopment options, which include dismantling the front wall or keeping it while working behind it.

The site remains largely untouched, with scaffolding and overgrowth still in place, three years after the fire.