Explosive demolition experts converge on Avonmouth

The 40 ha site is being cleared for a new logistics park

Working in a joint venture with Maynards Europe, a global leader in industrial auctions and liquidations in charge of preparing the site for regeneration, Darren will join another explosives expert, Robyn Rushforth as he sets off 45 detonators attached to 300 kg (660 lb) of charge.

The purpose of the blast is to bring down the main building, a four-storey, 2,500 t steel-frame structure covering nearly 1,900 sq m (20,450 sq ft) of the site.

Maynards Europe have almost 40 people working on site in one of the largest projects of its kind in the past 20 years.

They have spent seven months planning the blast operation as part of the wider project to demolish and recover the site for its next phase as a 172,000 sq m (1.85 million sq ft) warehousing and logistics park.

Canada-based Epta Development Corporation (EDC) acquired the site last December and commissioned Maynards Europe to manage the clearance and repurpose the assets via auction and private treaty sales.