Confusion as Bromsgrove building reported to have 'collapsed'

Worcestershire County Council's highways and travel department tweeted at 4.45pm on Friday afternoon that a building collapse at Shipley's amusements had closed the High Street.

The tweet said that the road was 'fully closed'.

However, the Advertiser has been unable to contact emergency services to determine what has happened as their media relations offices close at 5pm on Fridays.

⚠️ Building collapse at Shipley's Amusements at 111, High Street #Bromsgrove (in pedestrian area)

The road is fully closed@worcscc @BromsgroveDC

— Worcs Highways & Travel (@WorcsTravel) November 27, 2020

And confused bystanders contacted us to query the reports.

Rachel Baker said: "I walked past it and saw nothing."

"I had a look at it when I was in town and nothing collapsed," added Dayzimay James.

With reporters self-isolating, the Advertiser has been unable to visit the location to verify the reports.

Our Chairman went to investigate. The barriers have appeared since mid-afternoon when Shipleys staff were onsite, so something may have happened, but there is no dramatic collapse. This (out of focus!) picture was taken at 6.42pm on Friday 27th Nov 20. pic.twitter.com/fUwGlFP6TB

— Bromsgrove Society (@bromsgrovesoc) November 27, 2020

However, Bromsgrove Society has since tweeted a picture, showing that some barriers have been erected at the front of the building.To add to the confusion, in an update, Bromsgrove police Inspector Lee Page has now confirmed to the Advertiser that "the police have not been made aware of the building collapse."

The Advertiser has contacted Worcestershire County Council to confirm the circumstances of the incident and we hope to update this further tonight.