AR Demolition makes final preparations prior to tomorrow’s chimney shot.
A landmark Leicestershire himney will be demolished this weekend to help make way for new homes.
The 35-metre chimney at the former British United Shoe Machinery (BUSM) works in Ross Walk, Belgrave, Leicester, will be brought down tomorrow morning.
Former BUSM apprentice Tom Keville, who worked at the factory 47 years ago, will press the button to set off the explosion that will demolish the chimney. He won the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at a charity auction last summer, with his bid of £1,700 going to a number of good causes.
“Despite winning the opportunity to push the button to demolish this chimney, I have very good memories of my time at the factory,” said Tom, who lives in Anstey. I worked there for a year after college as an apprentice on production control before moving into the building trade, so, arguably, I might not be where I am today without my experience there. The main thing was to help raise lots of money for charities, and I’m pleased to have been a part of this.”
The demolition will be carried out by Market Bosworth’s AR Demolition Ltd and will see explosives used to topple the brick chimney northwards, on to vacant land.
Barriers and sentries will be placed around the exclusion zone boundary.
Residents in 28 nearby properties, that fall within the exclusion zone, will be asked to leave homes during the demolition. Surrounding roads will also be temporarily closed.
The demolition is due to take place at 11am, and we hope to bring you video footage shortly afterwards.
Read more here.
