Bethany Lee
Survivors have expressed mixed feelings about the government’s decision to demolish Grenfell Tower over the next two years.
On the 7th February the government announced that it will take down Grenfell Tower.
In a statement, a government spokesperson said the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, had sought “independent expert advice,” and the “engineering advice says that the Tower is significantly damaged.”
In November 2024, Rayner, told families she would make the decision after carefully consulting survivors and the community. However, many claim that Rayner did not handle the consultation properly.
Survivor Emma O’Connor has now started a petition calling for a “proper say in what happens to the tower.”
Supporters have gathered over 20,000 signatures so far.
Why Is The Tower Being Taken Down?
The Grenfell Tower fire claimed 72 lives in June 2017 and triggered protests across the UK over building standards.
The final inquiry concluded that “decades of failure” from both the construction industry and the government were to blame.
Since the incident, the remains of the Tower have stood tall in West London, covered by a sheet with the words ‘Grenfell, forever in our hearts’ written in bold.
“The condition of the building will continue to worsen over time.”
Debates over the safety of the standing tower have been ongoing since the fire.
In December 2024, a report presented by safety professionals claimed: “The longer the building is left in place, the risk of the structure’s condition deteriorating to an unacceptable level will increase.”
Currently, there are props in place to support the building. However, engineers have advised Rayner that “even with installation of additional props, the condition of the building will continue to worsen over time.”
Rayner told LBC: “I knew it was going to be really difficult, but I also knew that I had the engineering advice…I knew that the only decision to make really was that the tower had to come down.”
Mixed Reactions From Grenfell Survivors
In an update, the government insisted: “This is a deeply personal matter for the people affected and the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to keeping their voice at the heart of this process.
“She recognises how difficult it is for them and her priority has been to let them know her decision first.”
Two days before the public announcement, Rayner met with many of the bereaved. However, some claim their views were not properly considered before the decision was made.
“Hamid Wahbi has urged the government to spare part of the Tower”
Grenfell United, an organisation representing survivors, said Rayner “refused to confirm how many bereaved people and survivors had been spoken to.”
They added: “Ignoring the voices of the bereaved on the future of our loved ones’ gravesite is disgraceful and unforgivable.”
Meanwhile, Grenfell Next of Kin said: “That building is a shrine and the death place of their immediate families, their brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and children – but they understand the hard facts around safety.”
Members of the community have suggested that the Tower should stay, at least until there are criminal convictions for the incident.
Survivor Hamid Wahbi has urged the government to spare part of the Tower: “Let’s keep some of the tower in, this is the only way. […] To let everyone know what happened on the 14th of June… We lost our family there.”
What Happens Now?
The government expect the demolition to take place over a two-year period. However, they have promised that nothing will begin before the eighth anniversary of the fire this year.
In the coming months, contractors will be developing plans for a safe demolition.
The Royal Institute of British Architects are overseeing an official memorial. In consultation with The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission, they expect to submit a plan for the design in 2026.
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Feature image courtesy of the blowup on Unsplash. Image license can be found here. No changes have been made to this image.
Bethany Lee
Bethany is a multimedia journalist with a MA in Journalism. She is currently a Cultural Affairs Editor at Empoword!