DIY superstore in Manchester demolished to avoid empty building rates.
Vacant areas of a retail park in the town centre of Rochdale have been demolished by J Freeley Ltd. This followed the closure of two superstores on the site which closed due to the recession. The land owners were faced with having to pay large business rates bills if the buildings remained unoccupied, and so they appointed J Freeley to demolish them.
The project involved the clearance of 9,290 m2 of retail space, comprising the disused MFI and Focus DIY superstores. As part of the contract, J Freeley also demolished other buildings on the site formerly occupied by a veterinary practice and the Samaritans.
The six week demolition project began with the controlled removal of large quantities of asbestos from the building. J Freeley worked closely with Rochdale Council on health and safety aspects of the demolition: in particular ensuring the safety of pedestrians and vehicles on part of the site fronting onto Oldham Road.
There was a strong emphasis on sustainability during the project, with the various waste streams – including 3,000 tonnes of hardcore and concrete, metals, plastics and timber – all segregated and recycled.
Following the demolition, J Freeley carried out landscaping, boundary treatment and fencing, leaving the site ready for future redevelopment.
“This was a case where the two superstores fell victim to the recession and closed,” says managing director John Freeley. “The landowners were faced with a potentially massive business rates bill if the buildings remained unoccupied, and so they chose to demolish them. They plan to redevelop the site once the economy improves.”
