COMPLAINTS have been made over an ‘eyesore’ public house which has been part-demolished after it was deemed 'unsafe'.

The first floor of the former Colliers Arms in Water Street, Radcliffe, has been pulled down. But the ground floor and cellar remain in a ‘crumbling state’.

Residents in the area and staff at newly opened Bonnie’s hair salon next door, have made complaints about the poor state of the building, which is privately owned.

Salon owner Kathryn Tiller said: "We made complaints to Bury Council because the building was causing damp issues on our walls. An inspector asked the private owner of the building to demolish it."

Nicole Rafferty, manager at the salon, added: "Water is collecting in the cellar of the old pub and causing us damp issues. We are a new business and I can't use a hairdryer without paint flying off the walls.

"It looks a mess and does not look safe. We asked the owner what was going on and he said they are hoping to build a shop and some flats above it."

Demolition began about two months ago. But stopped abruptly about three weeks ago.

Resident Dorothy Grundy, aged 66 of Wallwork Street, has lived next door to the pub since the 1970s.

She said: “It is an absolute eyesore. It looked better before the demolition began. I feel most sorry for the people who have to look at it all the time.

"There are danger notices but I do not consider it safe. I have heard kids going in.

“They have said it will take a full 12 months to demolish it."

Site safety notices have been installed on the building exterior, warning passersby that it is a dangerous site.

Another resident whose property overlooks the rear of the pub said the pub looked ‘a mess’. Andrea Ball, aged 39, said: “We can see the building from our bedroom window. It has looked a real mess for a couple of months.

"I would like to see it looking better, or to have another building in its place.”

The Colliers Arms was originally an ale house and did not begin selling liquor until after the First World War. It closed permanently as a public house about 10 years ago.

A spokesman for Bury Council said: "Following reports that children had broken into this property in mid-July, our building control inspectors investigated and found that parts of the first floor and roof were in a dangerous condition. In order to prevent a collapse, the owner was required to carry out urgent works. These started at the beginning of August. The dangerous roof and flooring has now been removed.

"The owner has asked that the ground floor perimeter walls remain in order to secure the site. We understand that work to weather-proof the gable wall to the adjoining shop will start in the next 10 days. The owner has assured us that he will regularly check the security of the site.

"We will monitor the situation closely and work with the owner with a view to securing the redevelopment of the site as soon as possible."