Nottingham's Guildhall arsonist evades capture after setting fire to 137-year-old landmark

The security of Nottingham's 137-year-old Guildhall will be reviewed after an arsonist set fire to the landmark before evading capture. Fire crews were deployed to the prominent Grade-II listed building in Shakespeare Street, Nottingham city centre at around 5pm on Saturday, June 22.

After carrying out a fire investigation Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has now revealed it believes the fire was started deliberately. Nottinghamshire Police however have been unable to identify any suspects, with Inspector Pete Shaw explaining: “We attended and lines of inquiry were carried out, including checking for any CCTV or forensic opportunities, but no suspect or witnesses could be identified."

While Nottinghamshire Police had briefly shut off Burton Road, South Sherwood Street and Talbot Street to keep the public away from the scene, the fire service said the fire was easily dealt with and caused little damage. The fire mostly burned paper that had been left in the empty building, according to a spokesperson for its owner Nottingham City Council.

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Inspector Shaw added meetings had been held between the emergency services and the council, which he said had committed to reviewing security measures and removing flammable items from within the building.“Any new evidence that comes to light will always be investigated," he said.

"We’d urge any witnesses or anyone who has any further information about this incident to please get in touch with Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 536 of June 22, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.” It is believed that any damage inside the former magistrates' court will not impact its planned multi-million-pound sale.

Plans had previously been in place to turn the Guildhall into a hotel, whilst the adjoining police and fire station would have been demolished in favour of student accommodation. Nottingham City Council's sale of the two buildings to a developer was then thrown into uncertainty when the former police and fire station was also given Grade-II listed status in January 2023, blocking its demolition and redevelopment.

Although the listing has "significantly reduced" how much of the complex can be developed, the city council confirmed in early February that new sales terms had been agreed with the original buyer Miller Birch. The price of the potential sale has not yet been disclosed.

The high-value deal is still subject to the council receiving an external valuation and the purchaser getting detailed planning consent. No new planning application has yet been submitted for a revised scheme that incorporates the protected police and fire station, with Nottinghamshire Live understanding this is still a way off as a pre-application consultation has not started yet.

The Guildhall was most recently occupied by Nottingham City Council, before the authority acquired Loxley House in 2009. The former police and fire station itself was built in the 1930s before then Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said the police station was financially unviable in 2013.