Emergency services are dealing with a blaze at a former hotel in Lanarkshire.  

Firefighters are dealing with the fire at the boarded up mid-19th century Hamilton Town Hotel building in Hamilton’s Townhead Street after being alerted at around 3pm. 

The hotel is at the centre of a row over Premier Inn plans to demolish it to make way for a new 96-bedroom hotel and restaurant and create 60 jobs to the area.

More than 20 firefighters were at the scene and the billowing smoke could be seen from the M74.

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “The service was alerted at 2.50pm on Wednesday, June 20, to reports of a fire in a derelict building.

“Operations Control mobilised four fire engines to Hamilton’s Townhead Street, where firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire.

“There are no casualties.”

The category C listed building has been unoccupied since at least 2010 and is listed on the Historic Environment Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register. 

Earlier this year,  the Premier Inn revealed £6 million plans to demolish the long-derelict building and replace it with a 96 bedroom hotel and Beefeater restaurant.

The Herald:

Some residents lodged complaints with the council that demolition would mean the end of the historic Hamilton building.

Tom Keenan said that what was proposed involved the "destruction of a majestic, iconic Hamilton landmark".

He added: For generations it was used for a multitude of events, weddings, funerals, parties, etc and was the epicentre of a bustling town centre. To demolish it in favour of a monolithic glass monstrosity is a travesty...."

The West of Archaeology Service said in March that the plans should not be approved without a condition that ensures there is a programme of archaeological works believing the site may contain mid-18th century buried deposits or artefacts.

Last month, agents for Premier Inn told the council that the existing buildings were in a "dilapidated state and are incapable of refurbishment or redevelopment in their existing condition, with several areas of concern highlighted and substantial demolition recommended.

"It would not be feasible to incorporate the buildings in the development proposed...as the cost would be prohibitive and render any redevelopment plan unviable."

It dates back to the mid-19th century and has been in the past  known as the Commercial Inn, Commercial Hotel and latterly the Town Hotel.

It has been derelict for more than a decade, and has been subjected to  vandalism over the years.

Shopkeepers and visitors to the area have previously described it as an “eyesore”.