The future of some of Canberra's most popular local shops are in serious doubt after Mr Fluffy asbestos assessment recommended the demolition of several historic buildings in Ainslie.

It has long been known the shop space above Edgar's Inn contained loose-fill asbestos, but the pub's neighbouring stores have been waiting on the results of an ACT Government-ordered investigation to see whether they are affected too.

That report by consultants Robson Environmental, released on Friday afternoon, shows they are.

It recommended that within the next five years the pub and neighbouring newsagent and laundromat be demolished.

In the shorter term, the report recommended the loose-fill asbestos in the roof space above Edgar's was removed in the three to six months, and that the shop above Edgar's be cleaned of asbestos.

The roof space for the newsagent, the laundromat, the bakery and the bottle shop also need cleaning in the short term.

An image from the report of loose-fill insulation in the roof space above Edgar's Inn. ( Supplied: Robson Environmental )

Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones told ABC Radio Canberra's Adam Shirley although the Edgar's roof space had been sealed off from the rest of the building, the asbestos had never been remediated in any shape or form.

"There's a considerable amount in there," he said.

"That needs to be appropriately cleaned by a licensed asbestos removalist and also the area in that [unoccupied] shop above Edgar's Inn."

The report said consideration could be given to only demolishing the first floor section above Edgar's Inn.

But Mr Jones said the advice was that the whole pub building would probably need to come down.

Shopping complex still safe to visit

The report found the roof space above the newsagent and laundromat were affected by asbestos present above Edgar's, and for this reason demolition was recommended — although an extensive clean could be considered.

The future of the nearby takeaway store, bakery and bottle shop also remain in doubt, depending on their structural integrity following the demolition.

"Obviously a structural engineer will need to see how the … row of shops is actually constructed and to see whether there is any possibility of demolition in isolation," he said.

"My best guess is if the roof needs to be replaced and shop three (the newsagent and laundromat) needs to come [down] and that's the outcome, then probably the lot will go."

Manuel Xyrakis, whose family owns the building next to Edgar's, said he did not believe it was necessary to demolish all of them.

"I don't believe so, because the ACT Government does not have a policy for commercial premises," he said.

"What would happen if it was a several-storey building with different levels? I think that they should only demolish the level that is affected."

Mr Jones said in the meantime the asbestos would be contained and the area cleaned — and the shopping complex would remain safe to visit.

"Nothing has been detected in or around Edgar's in so it's perfectly safe, as are all the other occupied shops in the complex," he said.

He said the message to the community was that shops were safe for customers and employees, and Worksafe ACT and would work to ensure all the recommended remediation works are undertaken.

The Government is already in the process of demolishing more than 1,000 houses contaminated with Mr Fluffy asbestos, which are scattered across Canberra, after establishing a buyback scheme in 2014.