The developer of the neighbouring Silo Hotel, Errol Stewart, who sought the job from the Launceston City Council in return for some of the timbers to be featured in the hotel, said the work was about 20 per cent complete.

Asbestos in the building was removed in January and demolition works began last month.

The previous council approved the full demolition of the woolstore last October, just before the determination of the local government election.

A lack of community consultation on the decision angered some of the aldermen and members of the public.

Mr Stewart said yesterday that the job was much more laborious than he anticipated due to the number of nails that had to be removed from the timbers. He hoped to have the demolition completed by the end of April.

Meanwhile, pile driving at the Silo Hotel was also under way, with a total of 175 piles (135 timber and 40 steel) to go into the ground at the front and rear of the development.

He said he hoped to start pouring concrete at the site around the end of June.

Just across Lindsay Street, work on the new Officeworks site is expected to power ahead in coming weeks.

It is understood that Officeworks will take over the site to fit it out at the end of April or in early May.

PETStock and a large white goods/furniture retailer are understood to be moving into the remaining two spaces at the site.

Shepherd & Heap agent Ian Singline said he continued to receive interest on the remaining four commercial lots.

Boral, which is located in Lindsay Street, bought part of one of the lots in Gleadow Street, and in late January the council approved that lot to be zoned for manufacturing and processing.

The concrete company is yet to submit a development application to the council for its new site.