THE stability of Old Town's Locarno and Town Hall will be clearer by the end of the week when the results of a structural survey are known.

Owner, entrepreneur Gael Mackenzie - although out of the country until Tuesday and unavailable to comment has commissioned a team of private structural engineers to conduct a site survey into the stability of the building in the aftermath of the blaze which gutted the historic landmark nearly a fortnight ago.

The council's primary interest in the building at this stage concerns public safety. And depending on the results of the survey the council will take a decision on removing the barriers that currently seal the roads surrounding the crumbing listed building from the public.

Sandra Keates, the council's group leader for building control, said: "We are concerned with public safety and need to know the full extent of the structural survey before we make any decisions about removing the barriers.

"The owner is being fully co-operative and we await the results of the survey he has commissioned. The situation is detailed it's not like we're dealing with one crack three of the walls appear to be ok, but one doesn't and some of the building is loose."

Mr Mackenzie plans to develop the buildings into a continental-style caf bar and restaurant alongside an Italian piazza on Market Square car park and three apartment blocks in an ambitious £1 million scheme.

He owns the Town Hall and Locarno buildings while the council owns the adjacent car parks.

Countryside Properties PLC was planning to develop the area on their behalf and currently has the plans on display in the reception of the council's Wat Tyler House in Euclid Street.