A 19th-century listed building on Pump Street in Londonderry city centre has triggered fresh safety concerns after part of its roof collapsed, with structural engineers warning that the remaining structure could fail without warning. The Georgian property, formerly used as a Sisters of Mercy convent, sustained severe damage during Storm Amy in October 2025, prompting authorities to seal off the street with barriers and position large shipping containers as protective measures. Nearly a year later, the road remains partially closed, and no demolition or reconstruction work can proceed until Derry City and Strabane District Council grants listed building consent—a decision that has not yet been made.
The Martin Property Group, which owns the building at 16 Pump Street, has applied for planning permission to demolish and reconstruct part of the structure. However, the absence of a timeline for the council's decision on listed building consent means there is currently no clarity on when work might begin or when the shipping containers blocking part of the street will be removed. According to reporting from July 2026, traders described the street as having become a "no-go zone" after nine months of partial closure, with the council report indicating that responsibility for a solution rests with the building owner.
The building's deterioration predates the October 2025 storm. The Department for Communities' Historic Environment Division reported in October 2025 that the structure was already in poor condition and at imminent risk of collapse before the storm worsened the situation. Council records from 2018 and 2019 documented that the building was not properly secured, a failure that may have contributed to its eventual collapse. Additionally, asbestos was identified in the building nine years before the structural failure, adding another layer of complexity to any remediation efforts.
The partial closure of Pump Street has created significant hardship for local businesses. Business owners have reported substantial impacts on footfall and trade, with the street's closure now stretching toward a full year as of early October 2026. The situation has also displaced residents: the council was informed that four adults and five children, including an infant, were forced to leave their homes following the structural collapse.
What are the safety concerns?
Structural engineers have warned that the remaining roof and upper sections of the building pose an ongoing danger to the public. The shipping containers remain in place because of concerns that the structure could collapse at any moment, necessitating the continued closure of the street. People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin emphasised at a council meeting on Tuesday that there is a statutory responsibility on the council to prioritise public safety, and the containers serve as a critical protective barrier while the building's fate is determined.
Why has the street remained closed for so long?
The extended closure stems from the requirement that listed building consent must be obtained before any demolition or reconstruction can take place. This consent process has not yet been completed, leaving the property in limbo. Speaking to a local radio programme on Wednesday, Harkin expressed frustration that no council representative could provide a date for when the street might reopen or when work would begin and end at the former convent. He noted that even if work were to start the following month, the street would likely remain closed for considerably longer, with no guarantee of swift progress.
Harkin highlighted that the delay reflects broader governance failures. He pointed out that council reports from 2018 and 2019 showed the building was not properly secured, and this lack of maintenance may have accelerated its collapse. The combination of poor prior stewardship and the current bureaucratic delays has left the street in a state of prolonged disruption.
What happens next?
The immediate next step is a decision by Derry City and Strabane District Council on whether to grant listed building consent for the Martin Property Group's demolition and reconstruction proposal. Until that consent is issued, no work can legally commence. Harkin called on councillors to maintain ongoing scrutiny of the situation to ensure that progress is made and the street can reopen in the near future. However, with no timeline currently in place for the council's decision, residents and traders face continued uncertainty about when normal access to Pump Street will be restored.
Key Facts
- The Georgian listed building on Pump Street dates to the 1800s and was formerly a Sisters of Mercy convent
- Pump Street has been partially closed since October 2025 following Storm Amy damage and a partial roof collapse
- Large shipping containers remain outside the building as a safety measure while structural engineers warn the rest of the structure could collapse at any time
- Derry City and Strabane District Council has not yet granted listed building consent, which is required before any demolition or reconstruction work can begin
- Business owners report significant impacts on trade and footfall, with the street described as a "no-go zone" after nine months of closure
