Doctor's surgery reopens almost two years after fire

A doctor's surgery has returned to its home at a Nottinghamshire village hall almost two years after it was destroyed by fire.

Gotham Memorial Hall, off Nottingham Road, has been closed since it went up in flames in February 2023.

Work to rebuild the building, which also housed the Orchard Surgery Practice, started months after the blaze.

The doctor's surgery and dispensary services returned to the site on Monday.

Patients had to travel to the surgery's sister site four-and-a-half miles away in Kegworth while repairs were carried out.

Andy Brown, councillor for Gotham and the mayor of Rushcliffe, said it was "great news" for patients.

Brown said: "A lot of people are going to welcome this back because they won't have to rely on volunteer drivers to take them over to Kegworth or drive over there.

"I was hoping it could be rebuilt quicker but because the doctor's surgery was involved there was a lot of negotiations taking part.

"It's taken a long time, but it's back now and it's going to be better than it was before so it's great news all round."

Brown said more work was needed before other parts of the building, including the library and main hall space, reopened at the site.

He said the hall was expected to reopen in February.

"We've been holding the parish council meetings in the parish church and sometimes it's very cold and they hold them on the night of bell ringing practice," Brown added.

"It becomes difficult to hear what is being said so it would be nice to get back into the memorial hall for the meetings and attending them in the warm and proper place it should be."

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