A structural engineer in Belfast has said any repairs following a major fire in the Cathedral Quarter are likely to take years.
A cordon remains around the listed Old Cathedral Building on Donegall Street, restricting access for several business owners, pedestrians and traffic.
The owner of a Centra shop next door has said that although his premises were not damaged, he is losing around £10,000 a day in takings while the cordon remains in place.
The red brick walls of the four-storey structure are still in place, while aerial photos have shown the interior to be completely gutted.
Ashley Doole from MWL consulting engineers in Belfast said any attempts to restore the structure would be extremely challenging.
“The first thing they need to do is evaluate the condition the building is in as it stands,” he told the Irish News.
“They’ll need to make what’s left of it secure, which will probably involve some form of temporary shoring and façade retention.
“That will let them investigate the extent of the damage to the brickwork and masonry to see what can be retained.”
Any timber floors will need to be completely replaced while any steel work will need to be tested to see if it can be retained or stripped out and replaced.
If the outer walls are solid, Mr Doole said one option is to build an entirely new interior structure.
“That way it would look the same but become a brand-new building inside.”
With the Primark building in Belfast City Centre set to reopen after four years of repair work, he said there was a much higher degree of uncertainty with the privately-owned Cathedral Building.
“This will be even harder than with Primark. I don’t know how things will go with insurances and multiple tenants,” he said.
While shipping containers were brought in to protect the public from any falling masonry outside Primark, he said a less obstructive option involving large concrete blocks may be possible on Donegall street.
Asked about what obligation there was to restore the listed building to its former glory, he said: “It depends how (the authorities) will view it, but I think the walls will have to go back to match the appearance of what was there.
“I know there are mysterious circumstances when listed buildings get damaged and have to be knocked down.
“Some developers seem to get away with that without many penalties but I don’t know with something as prominent as this whether that’s going to be an issue.”
Should money and the many logistical challenges be overcome, he said any return to normal would still be years in the making.
“It will be years and years, at least two or three. By the time the inspections are carried out and all the bits and pieces are in place like getting tenders pulled together and contractors in,” he said.
“There could be six months before you even start on site. It’s a terrible situation for everyone there, you wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work with the owner and their representatives to have the building made safe as quickly as possible.
“Council officers are also working with Destination CQ to help identify any vacant buildings within the city centre which could be used as temporary spaces for the businesses affected by the fire. We are also exploring how we can support the businesses and artists with practical help around insurance and legal issues.”
