The owner of an abandoned nightclub has been ordered to bring in 24-hour security following yet another blaze at the site.

The former Liquid club in East Hill, Ashford, was engulfed in flames on Friday night just two weeks after fire crews were called to another incident at the landmark.

Having announced the closure of the neighbouring Flour Mills car park last night amid safety concerns, Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has now issued site owner OIiver Davis with an improvement notice.

It means the property developer will now have to ensure the unlisted premises is under 24/7 surveillance to prevent similar incidents.

A spokesman for ABC said: “We have served a community protection notice on the owner of the building that requires him to erect suitable hoardings around the site to secure the property.

“This is to help ensure the safety of the public.

“The notice also requires the owner to provide site security 24 hours a day and to carry out remedial work to secure the condition of the building.

“We are urging the public to avoid the site as work continues to make the area safe.”

It comes as police launch an appeal for witnesses following Friday’s incident, which is being treated as suspected arson.

Detectives would like to speak to residents who saw anyone entering or leaving the building at about 11.15pm on Friday.

Mr Davis – who has owned the site since 2021 – had wanted to transform the landmark into 53 flats.

But he told KentOnline earlier this month how he has scrapped the plans after commercial tenants showed more interest.

He said the building, which was constructed in 1901 as H.S. Pledge and Son flour mill, is still set for a long-overdue makeover as it will be turned into a “flexible office space”.

Previously, a series of nightspots had occupied the site with Liquid being the last one until it shut in 2014.

Before Mr Davis snapped up the building, proposals emerged in 2017 to turn the seven-storey building into a performing arts centre for Ashford School, complete with a 250-seat theatre, but it never got off the ground.

Mr Davis has been approached for comment.

Anyone with information about Friday’s fire should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/218902/24.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete their online form.