An Only Fools and Horses super fan has been left heartbroken after an iconic location from the show was demolished.
Jason Allen could not believe his eyes when one of his beloved spots from the classic comedy was flattened.
Sadly, Boyce Autos & Car Accessories, also known as Boyce Autos, has been knocked down.
READ MORE: Tesco selling Halloween pumpkins for just 55p in joint-cheapest deal
According to the 35-year-old, the beloved spot was flattened to make way for a new ‘sports complex’.
“The news came out of nowhere,” Jason, from Bristol, told What’s The Jam.
“The building was brought down surprisingly fast.
“As soon as I heard, I drove over immediately to document the site and photograph the progress of the demolition.
“For many, the loss felt like another piece of British television heritage disappearing – a building that some argued deserved listed status given its role in cultural history.”
The garage used throughout the eight seasons and countless specials of Only Fools and Horses was located on Marsh Road, Ashton, Bristol.
The spot was owned by the late great John Challis’ ‘Boyce’ and known for supplying Del Boy and the rest of Peckham with overpriced and unreliable second-hand motors.
The garage’s most famous appearance came in ‘Time On Our Hands‘, where Rodney, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, buys David Jason’s beloved Del Boy his dream Rolls-Royce.
Sadly, Jason, who is now running a tour of the remaining locations for fans, claims it is the latest in a long line of filming spots that have been destroyed.
Jason said: “Redevelopment plans for the site had been rumoured for quite some time, though nothing ever seemed to materialise – until now.
“I actually found out through a friend whose connection was working on the demolition crew.
“The site was acquired by developers, and current plans indicate the land is rumoured to be redeveloped into a new sports complex.
“The news of the demolition caused widespread sadness among Only Fools and Horses fans.
“Many expressed a strong desire to see the building preserved, with some suggesting it would have made a fantastic museum celebrating the show’s legacy.
“Over the decades, a significant number of iconic backdrops, local businesses, and regional landmarks featured in the series have undergone major redevelopment, been demolished, or been entirely rebuilt.”
The list of spots taken from history includes:
‘Cash and Curry’ at the Vimmals Hotel was demolished in 2024.
The Village Hall, Dorset, featured as the site where Rodney and Mickey purchase Del’s broken lawnmower engines; the building has since been demolished and reconstructed.
To Hull and Back: Background housing and flat complexes used during the scenes where Slater is arrested have since been demolished.
A Royal Flush: The opening market sequence – featuring Del selling goods in front of a distinct red wall with green gates – has been entirely cleared and demolished.
A Chance of a Lunchtime: The shopping centre featured at the start of the episode (the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Bristol) has also faced redevelopment and demolition.
The Jolly Boys’ Outing: The Villa Bella, one of the most recognisable hotel locations from the series, has since been demolished and rebuilt.
The retail parade featured in the episode ‘Who’s a Pretty Boy?’, where Grandad buys the canary, has been replaced by residential accommodation following redevelopment
Jason added: “Several real-world pubs used to portray Del and the gang’s local watering hole have been altered, converted into residential housing, or torn down entirely.”
Duke Road (Chiswick, London): Featured in “Who’s a Pretty Boy?”, the original pub closed and was converted into flats in 1995.
Stapleton Road (Bristol): The second Nag’s Head used in the episode “Dates” (where Del is famously arrested) was demolished in 2007 and replaced with flats in 2010.
West Street (Bedminster, Bristol): The third Nag’s Head used in Bristol was The White Horse (featured in “A Chance of a Lunch Time”). It closed in 2011 and was subsequently converted into apartments and a nail bar.
The White Admiral: Featured in “Mother Nature’s Son”, the pub was heavily impacted by severe flooding in 2000 before being permanently demolished for residential flats in 2005.
Jason added: “Looking to the future, the original exterior tower block used to represent Nelson Mandela House (Harlech Tower in Acton, London) is scheduled for demolition as part of a major estate regeneration project.
“For fans of the show, it represents the final chapters of an irreplaceable era of British television history, making visits ahead of its removal all the more poignant.”
READ MORE: Brit’s weekly food shop cost has nearly DOUBLED in FOUR years
