Grenfell demolition decision divides community as Angela Rayner set to make statement on future of site

The decision to demolish Grenfell Tower has been met with anger by victims’ families and the wider community remains torn over its future. The Government's decision, shared with families at a private meeting on Wednesday evening, prompted claims that the voices of many loved ones had been ignored. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is also Housing Secretary, is understood to have been met with gasps from a shocked room of mostly bereaved people who felt there had not been enough consultation.

Grenfell United, which represents some bereaved and survivors, said it appeared from the room that "no-one supported her decision". It is understood some asked if the decision could be reversed. There has been years of debate over the future of the 24-storey tower, with some hoping it would remain as a lasting reminder of the tragedy and others wanting it replaced with a new memorial. Some local residents have called for it to be removed completely.

A formal government announcement on the matter is expected to be made on Friday. In a previous update, the Government said structural engineering advice remained unchanged "in that the building (or that part of it that was significantly damaged) should be carefully taken down". Separately, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial in the area of the tower, with recommendations including a “sacred space”, designed to be a “peaceful place for remembering and reflecting”.

It is expected a planning application for a memorial could be submitted in late 2026. The Standard visited the community around the tower on Friday to gauge feelings around the Government decision to demolish the tower. Local resident Anita Raphael, 58, said: "For me personally coming from the estate, I think the tower should be demolished. Because it's an eyesore really. About a year ago it was a windy day and the tarpaulin around the building blew off. It really freaked me out seeing the blackness inside from the fire. That was really distressing.

"I would like to see if it is demolished and there should be a little section for each immediate family. They should also have an area for residents where they can sit down and reflect.". “It's very solemn, it's still fresh in our minds. It's really devastated the community. But it's actually brought the community together, which I think is a great, beautiful thing". Vanessa Dambendzet, 39 , said: "This is a real community, people really care for each other. They will not forget. They need that heart so that they never forget about Grenfell.".

Solan Patrick, 24, originally from Florida, said: "I'm torn. I moved here a year ago so I'm not London-born, but I've been integrated into the community to understand the impact this horrible tragedy has had. Being there for marches, seeing forever in our hearts graffitied all over west London - I understand the impact. “I can understand for the families [...] every day is a reminder of what happened to those closest to them. But in the same breath, you can also argue that having that tower there represents 'Don't forget this terrible thing that could've been avoided, got a tonne of people killed and needs to be answered for.

“People need their justice, and maybe for them that tower represents a reminder to everybody. And if that's gone, maybe people would lose 'forever in our hearts'. I don't know what the better morally right thing is.". Emmanuel Agyie, 31, said: "Every time I see that building, it gives me the memory of what happened there. I see it as symbolic for the ones who lost their loved ones. People go there to reconnect with their past, even if it's just to recall the memories of their cherished ones. So for me, I see it as a figure of hope for people to get on with their lives.

"I just gives hope to people to live their lives, to pay homage to the lives that were lost as well.I see it as a memory, and memories always live with people. Leon Fraser, 81, said: "I think it [the tower] is a bad reminder. If it stays up, it would be a monument to disaster.I think a garden of remembrance should replace it. For the people who really want to remember it in a good way.". Walter Ferrier, 75, said: "Tear it down, it's a ghost. Get rid of it.".

Teresa McCarthy, 47, said: "I'm not sure how I feel [about the tower coming down]. It was a very bad tragedy that happened, shocking and sad for everybody who lost family. I'm sorry for the victims and the families.". Amy Allen, 30, a trainee patent attorney: "I'm surprised that it [demolition] hasn't happened sooner to be honest. I think that it's probably not safe to have it up. But I think the people around here should be asked how they feel about it because obviously it's a lot. I think they should probably put something else in place of it.".