Royal London Mutual’s surveyors were meeting with advisers in Nottingham yesterday afternoon to assess the damage caused by a fire on Sunday which destroyed part of its retail investment in Long Row West, near Old Market Square.
The fire severely damaged units occupied by Habitat, Next and RJ’s. Yates’s Wine Lodge, however, escaped serious damage. Two boys, aged 14 and 16, have been charged with arson.
In 1994 Simons of Lincoln redeveloped the former department store – occupied up until 1989 by Pearsons – with the assistance of English Heritage.
Royal London’s Steve Swan said insurance provided rental cover for three years’ loss of trading. Richard Williams of Grimley, the insurers’ local agent, was among those present at the meeting.
EGi News 21/08/96
