SLIDESHOW: A final look at tower view

THESE stunning views will be out of reach in a matter of days after workmen begin to pull down an iconic Burton landmark.

demolition work starts on the redundant Molson Coors maltings tower one of Burton's most famous landmarks.

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The Mail was given one last look from the top of the redundant maltings tower at Molson Coors’ Burton north brewery, off Station Street, before it is demolished later this month.

The crow’s nest offered panoramic views of Burton from this unique vantage point.

An elevator trip to the top was out of the question, as the lift had been out of action for 10 years.

However, the climb up 227 steps in 28 flights of stairs was well worth it. At the summit of the 190ft tower we were greeted by the dazzling morning sunshine, a crystal blue sky and a breathtaking view across the whole of the town.

Jonathan Fair, of Molson Coors Brewing Company, said: “The demolition company is making significant progress with the removal of our obsolete maltings facilities.

“In about three weeks time the tower will start to be nibbled away, with residents and visitors to Burton seeing the tower disappear over a period of weeks.

“By the end of March we will have completed the demolition phase and created the space for a new energy centre, which will be subject to planning permission.”

It is business as usual for the rest of the brewery below, with workers and trucks moving around in a hive of activity. A small cloud of steam rises from one of the buildings, briefly blocking out the bright sunlight.

Looking to the north into South Derbyshire you can see Willington Power Station’s cooling towers sitting on the horizon, as well as the sprawling site of Toyota’s Burnaston plant.

Across Burton, the steel spine of the train line cuts through the industrial heart of the town. The railway station looks like a tiny box perched atop Station Bridge.

Further to the south, the maltings tower at the Shobnall Maltings stands fractionally taller than its neighbour that stands over the centre of the town.

A giant crane with an extended steel claw is expected to start picking away at the concrete structure of the tower in around two weeks time.

The beer giant is investing £75 million across five years in its facilities in Burton, a move which is hoped to spark a ‘brewing renaissance’ in the town.