Call to secure orphanage from further vandalism

A councillor says he fears for the future of a Grade-II listed former orphanage after vandalism and a recent arson attack.

The St Joseph's Orphanage on Mount Street, Preston, is a collection of six structures that were built on the site over the course of almost 85 years.

The oldest building dates back to 1872 and it was a care home until it shut in 2007 and has lain empty since.

The owner of the building said it had hired 24-hour security and had "done what we can".

Preston city councillor Salim Desai said he believed a lot of the vandalism was being caused by children from out of town.

A fire broke out on 4 November which took firefighters more than 15 hours to extinguish, leaving damage to the building.

Desai called on the owner to do more to secure the site.

He said: "This is the heritage of Preston.

"We've pushed hard for them to secure the building so this damage doesn't occur, but they don't seem to get it.

"There is a hole in the boarding put up to cover the windows and children can climb in."

Much of the site is earmarked for demolition and owners Zimrock Ltd said contractors were on site and were ready to begin work.

A Zimrock Ltd spokesman said: "There's 24 hour security on site and we've done what we can.

"There are hoardings around the site, but if someone is determined to get in, they will."

The orphanage opened in 1872 and was funded by a wealthy local widow.

It was run by nuns with part of the site becoming a hospital known as Mount Street Hospital.

The orphanage closed in 1954 and the hospital shut on the site in 1982.

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