Demolition team overcoming uncertainty amid frosty climate

SPARE a thought for the demo teams up and down the country, working in all kinds of inclement weather – and it is not just meteorological conditions that are challenging.

The economic climate is proving equally frosty, yet WV Demolition (WVD) is more than holding its own, according to operations director Terry Davies.

He said: “Competition out there is still very strong. It is challenging. There have been a few companies that have gone by the wayside, which would make you think that the pool of jobs would be getting bigger – but that doesn’t seem to be (the case), as the competition is getting stronger.

“People are nervous. Companies are nervous. People with money are nervous. It is just hard all round, and fuel prices are going up. However, business-wise, Wye Valley Demolition is going in the right direction" - Terry Davies, Operations Director

“There has been a lull (in demolition projects) for the last two years. The budget hasn’t helped. There are tax rises in April, and the uncertainty over another budget.

“People are nervous. Companies are nervous. People with money are nervous. It is just hard all round, and fuel prices are going up.

“However, business-wise, Wye Valley Demolition is going in the right direction.”

The expert team and their total professionalism is a big reason why the WVD team are more than holding their own.

End of an era: The Three Counties Hotel on the Belmont Road, Hereford, was taken down with minimum fuss

Despite the strangely negative press regarding the demolition of the former Three Counties Hotel, to make way for a new Lidl store on the Belmont Road, there could be nothing but praise from those who witnessed the superb execution carried out by WVD team.

“That job went very well and was completed ahead of time,” added Terry.

“We had a big issue with a water main running through the middle of the site, but we overcame that, and it went very well. We were very pleased with that.”

New era: Wye Valley Demolition's ground remediation work laid the foundations for a new Lidl store

WVD was also on hand in Abergavenny, following a tragic fire on November 11 – which more than 100 firefighters were called in to deal with – at the iconic former family-run department store, Richards of Abergavenny.

Unfortunately, the building in Frogmore Street, which had housed children’s charity The Magic Cottage for the past year, could not be saved.

The building’s owner, Alan Griffiths, called upon the WV Demo team to help, following the blaze in November.

“We worked really well with the locals and, again, the client was very, very happy with the work that went on there,” added Terry.

Tragedy: Fire caused the destruction of an iconic former store in Abergavenny

“It was a challenging job, all the same. It was tragic. They lost some lovely buildings there. But there was nothing that could be done – it had to be raised to the ground and now they will build it back up.”

There are also ongoing and upcoming demolition jobs that keep the wheels turning.

Parker Plant, a factory in the middle of a housing estate in Leicester, is one that WV Demolition has been involved with over the past year.

“That comes with its own challenges, but that that one is going well,” admitted Terry.

A former Iceland building, which will make way for an extension to the next-door Aldi building, has started in Exeter.

“At the moment, we are on time and on schedule – it’s all going well. The boys are working well,” Terry said.

“Next week, we start at the former Thornbury Health Centre in Bristol. It must be demolished as the new one has already been built at the front of the old building.

“That one has its own challenges, namely asbestos and bats. Planning as well. But we will see how that one goes.

“Also, we have a small bungalow in Hereford, which is total demolition. Again, we have asbestos and bats to deal with.

“Liberty Steel is another one on the cards. That is in Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate in Tredegar, an old Caparo Tubes factory which is being deplaned and repurposed.”

The WVD team are also in the process of securing a ground remediation job for Northern Ireland-based construction company Corramore, who are building a care home in Middleton, near Southampton.

“Phil Pilcher-Morris is running that one, and that has the potential of a half-a-million-pound job for us,” said Alistair Moulton.  

Fingers crossed that contracts keep rolling in. The hard-working WVD team remains upbeat.

“We are happy with the way things are going,” Terry admitted. “We have a good team around us. Onwards and upwards.”