The site of the one-time China House and before that, Lime Kiln pub, in Aqueduct Street, has been empty since 2014 after being described as a ‘death trap’ by a health and safety inspector.
It is being knocked down to make way for a new development. Our photographer Neil Cross was on hand with contractor Pete Marquis as the bulldozers moved in.
1. Demolition
Vandalism and anti-social behaviour have been blamed for the current state of the building, which dates back as a pub to at least the 1830s. Photo: Neil Cross
2. Demolition
The former Lime Kiln pub and China House restaurant Photo: Neil Cross
3. Demolition
The site was put up for sale in 2014 for almost £400,000 and within a year the asking price had halved. Photo: Neil Cross
4. Demolition
It was back in 2013 that the China House hit the headlines following a raid by emergency services and health and safety personnel. They found leaking gas bottles in the cellar next to botched electrical wiring which they described as a "ticking time bomb." Photo: Neil Cross