Metropolitan Demolition Co

About Us

Metropolitan Demolition is a Yorkshire based demolition company operating nationwide; providing full service demolition solutions. We began our journey in 1966 – formed by brothers, Trevor and Peter Hirst. They first started with truck hire operating around the construction of the Yorkshire stretch of the M1 from Wakefield to Haigh Roundabout.

We provide safe and efficient demolition services across a broad range of projects, from the small domestic dwelling to large scale industrial units – we offer the complete solution. With excellent communication and impeccable health and safety standards, we can project manage the decommissioning a structure on time and on budget.

Our Values

As an audited member of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), our clients are assured of a well-managed, safe and environmentally considerate demolition project. We are dedicated to demonstrating the continual development of our company and the people within it.

Our philosophy of continual improvement is supported by successfully achieving and maintaining internationally recognised certifications. This includes CHAS Elite, Construction Line Gold, SSIP , NDTG , Acclaim & BS EN ISO 900.

Over 50 Years in the Demolition Industry

Metropolitan Demolition began it’s journey in 1966 by brothers, Trevor and Peter Hirst. They first started with truck hire operating around the construction of the Yorkshire stretch of the M1 from Wakefield to Haigh Roundabout. Their demolition work started through contacts made through truck hiring, they initially hired an excavator for clearing local sites but soon realised that this was taking all the profit.

A lot of their first work began with slum clearance and industrial mills which came through references by the local councils across Yorkshire. During the late 1960’s there were opportunities arising to make money from salvage – stone in particular. So the two brothers set about specialising in reclaimed stone and retailing it. Soon, there were 1000 yards of redressed stone being produced on a weekly basis by 70 stone masons who worked across 7 different stone yards.

In the later 1960’s the brothers made reclamation a priority during their demolition works and ensured 90% of materials were recycled. Materials such as timber, slate, paving slabs and stone work; lots of which were used to produce the hardcore during the construction of the M62 and M1. Their reclaimed materials were used to create a base beneath the roads.

As their contacts and capabilities expanded so did their portfolio, a York company approached the Hirst brothers who acted for the Church Commissioners and they became the preferred contractors for demolishing disused churches.

More in the way of industrial works were the many chimney demolition projects carried out across Yorkshire; a total of 164 chimneys were taken down. The largest of which was the North Yorkshire Brickworks, the demolition of a 240ft chimney, which brought in a larger crowd of spectators than the first day of the Yorkshire Show.