Drone footage reveals scale of hotel fire damage

Drone footage has been released showing the condition of a 15th Century hotel, a year since it was ravaged by fire.

A pledge to salvage something from the wreckage of the Grade II listed Raven Hotel in Droitwich, Worcestershire, was renewed by Wychavon District Council, which said it was "pushing and pressing" the owners to take action.

In August 2025, the historical site went up in flames, with the derelict structure still fenced off on safety grounds.

Councillor Richard Morris said: "We've released these images as a reminder of the scale of the challenge." The owners, Live Urban Two, did not respond to requests for comment.

"We're determined and pushing for action to secure the Raven's future," Morris added.

In June, the council secured a court order compelling the owners to make the building safe and prevent further deterioration.

If the company fails to keep to a strict timetable, the council said it had the power to do the work itself and then bill the firm.

The authority's leader, Morris, said the company had met the first deadline of 10 July, which ordered it to seek pre-application advice for a future planning application, for demolishing parts of the site.

The authority said the work could start in the autumn, and once what remains of the building was secured, the road could then reopen.

Morris said he would not hesitate to step in if the owners failed to deliver.

"I, along with other Droitwich councillors have been pushing for action and appreciate the hard work of our staff, who've been working in challenging circumstances," he added.

Morris said the council had used every legal power they could to protect the building.

"The fire was devastating and it rocked the town - this building has been an ever-present in Droitwich, it's truly part of our heritage," he said.

The court order also compelled the owners to weatherproof and preserve the historic sections of the hotel, once the unsafe sections were removed.

The Raven shut as a hotel more than 10 years ago and had sat empty since then.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.