Abnormal load specialist Collett has delivered an almost 150-year-old Victorian clock tower from Elland in West Yorkshire to Ripon in North Yorkshire. It’s the second time Collett is moving this rare piece, although the last time was 33 years ago. 

In 1987, Collett & Sons, or R. Collett & Sons as it was known at the time, was contracted by Andy Thornton Antiques to deliver the Co-operative clock tower from the Co-op Wholesale Biscuit Factory in Crumpsall, Manchater that was being demolished to Elland, West Yorkshire. Back then, the clock tower was loaded onto a semi-low loader trailer and pulled by an IVECO 170 30 tractor unit.

33 years later, Collett & Sons has once again been contracted by Andy Thornton Antiques to transport this unique abnormal load. This time from Elland to its new location in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

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Measuring 9.2 by 3.9 by 3.9 metres and weighing 8 tonnes, the clock tower was loaded onto a wafer-bed trailer utilising two of lorry loader crane vehicles, one of them being a new Volvo FH540 8×4 delivery truck. Undertaking a tandem lift, the clock tower was lifted and manipulated in a ‘top and tail’ movement, ensuring the cargo was lowered safely onto the trailer.

“Collett & Sons did a great job of moving the clock to our premises in 1987 without dropping it and we had every confidence they would do the same again. Mark Collett was in charge both times and it was good to be working with him and Collett again”, Andy Thornton stated.

The Co-operative clock tower was once a famous landmark which sat on top of the Co-operative Wholesale Biscuit Factory in Crumpsall, Manchester. Dating back to 1873, the clock tower is often associated with some of the UK’s favourite biscuits such as the Jammy Dodger and the Custard Cream, as well as the introduction of the 8-hour working day.