Century Mill, Bolton

23rd February 2026 By No Comments

Location: Bolton, Lancashire
Client: Westchurch Homes
Value: £500,000
Timescale: Phase 1 : January 2023 to June 2023 / Phase 2 : October 2024 to November 2024
Scope: The soft-strip demolition and site clearance of the former mill with 30m chimney.

Project Background

The project consisted of the demolition of the former 4-storey traditional brick built mill with 30m tower at one and a separate 30m brick chimney in the Farnworth area of Bolton.  The structure was surrounded by residential properties to all elevations.

Demolition Methodology

The mill had an initial soft-strip to prepare for demolition. Once stripped, the first section of the building was demolished using our fleet of demolition spec excavators with the resultant demolition hardcore crushed on site to 6F2 standard product.  This crushed material was used to backfill uneven areas of the site and create a haul road for the follow on housing development.

Due to the length of time it took to relocate a mobile telecoms mast on the tower at one end the mill, demolition was paused to allow the start of the housing development.  Once the mast had been relocated, our team returned to site to complete the demolition, which included the tower section and also the standalone 30m chimney.  A specialist steeplejack reduced the chimney to such a height that our high reach excavator could take over and complete the job.

Environmental Issues

We utilised dust boss machines and water hoses integrated on the excavator arm to suppress the dust arising from the demolition process.

Drone Footage

Project Images

  • Century Mill Aerial 2
  • Century Mill Progress 1
  • Century Mill Progress 2
  • Century Mill Progress 3
  • Century Mill Chimney

Previous Projects

Latest News

PROJECT TESTIMONIALS

``I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Forshaw team for the successful completion of the demolition works and thank them again for their efforts in maintaining harmonious relations with the station and its team.``network-rail-logo
Ms. Samantha Hadnum Scheme Project Manager
NETWORK RAIL | Concourse House, Liverpool
``We would like to place on record our appreciation of the work Forshaw Demolition carried out on this project, which was undertaken to the highest of standards on a city centre site surrounded by Lancashire County Council Offices, staff & public car parks, private houses, pedestrian routes and the main West Coast Railway Line.``lcc-logo
Mr. Stewart Hale Senior Architectural Technician
Lancashire County Council Property Group | Arthur Street Car Park, Preston
``Thank you, from the team, for the good work you carried out at our new store in Braehead, Glasgow. We achieved the programme and quality that we were looking for and achieved it without compromise to Health and safety``Decathlon
Mr. Rhodri Davies Technical Director
Decathlon UK | Decathlon, Braehead
``I have worked with FDL on my last two projects with the most relevant being the demolition of Lincoln House and 123 Deansgate to allow the development of a new £50m commercial development. We found FDL to be commercially aware without being aggressive and easy to work with contractually. I might add that on the back of Deansgate FDL also demolished a very sizable office block to the rear of our building for Marshall CDP, Brazennose House, which was also a complex building as it was a mix of precast and insitu concrete and not in the best of condition! They have just finished working with me on a £25m refurbishment project in central Liverpool which is a Grade II listed hotel development. While a very different beast it is no less complex in different ways``Deansgate
Mr. Paul McCormick Director
Deansgate Contractors Ltd| Lincoln House, Manchester
``Forshaw Demolition were employed to demolish three high rise block of flats, by explosives. I was the Contract Administrator for the works and I found them to be impeccable in all aspects of the work. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they always wanted to please. Their organisation skills are second to none, that is why I have used them on numerous occasions. They are my first port of call when anybody within Preston City Council mentions demolition.``Preston City Council
Mr. John Bradley Building Services / Facilities Manager
Preston City Council | Moor Lane Flats, Preston
``I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of the Client and myself to thank the Forshaw team for the successful completion of the demolition works and the excellent management of a particularly awkward city centre site. The adjoining owners and occupiers have not had any issues and the job was on time, on budget and, most importantly, we have a happy Client. I look forward to working with you in the near future.``wcp-logo
Mr. John Luddington
WCP Associates | Amethyst House, Manchester
``We would like to thank you for your help in completing this difficult project safely. It has been a pleasure dealing with your firm and we hope that we will have the opportunity to work together again in the future.``John Pidgeon Partnership
Mr. John Pidgeon Director
JOHN PIDGEON PARTNERSHIP | Telephone House, Shrewsbury
``We would like to place on record our appreciation of the work `{`Forshaw Demolition`}` carried out on this project, which was undertaken to the highest standards.``laing-orourke-logo
Mr. Mike Harrison Project Manager
LAING O'ROURKE | Richmond House, Liverpool
``The Council was very impressed not only with the actual work involved in demolishing the bridge and removing the debris but also with the public liaison throughout the process.``micklefield-parish-council
Ms. J L Hebden Clerk & RFO
MICKLEFIELD PARISH COUNCIL | Micklefield Railway Bridge, North Yorkshire
``The contract was carried out in a very professional manner, attention being concentrated on local residents, the nearest of which was within 40 metres of the building being demolished. All efforts were taken to keep them informed of events and to minimise the effects associated with demolition, noise, vibration, airborne dust and traffic.``fort-vale-logo
Mr. David Smith Technical Director
Fort Vale Engineering Ltd | LG Phillips Factory, Burnley
``On the NW Hub Chester House Deconstruction Project, Mansell have ensured that their partnered demolition contractor Forshaw, have met the framework requirements, including active participation in Heads Up Workshops, regular risk workshops and planning workshops. Mansell and Forshaw have brought a joint approach to daily liaison with the adjacent live 999 Call centre and public, and have actively participated in monthly client meetings.``wyg-logo
Mark Hilton
WYG