The leader of the council said stepping in and using emergency powers to make the area safe did not mean the local authority was taking ownership of the crumbling building.
It remained in the hands of local firm Solanki Holdings, which has not yet responded to a request for comment on the current situation.
Torbay Council’s leader, Dave Thomas, Conservative, said: “We had hoped since last November that the owners would address the long‑standing issues identified by their own engineer, but, unfortunately, this has not happened, and the building has deteriorated to the point where it poses a serious risk to the community.”
Thomas said the building had “blighted” Paignton and urged the owners to come forward with “clear plans for the future”.
The council leader said the work would not affect the English Riviera Airshow and advised visitors to pre-book parking, use public transport or come on foot or bicycle.
