Forgotten cement works is used in Fast and Furious franchise

By Hannah Stevens @hannahshewans

YAWNING empty spaces transform this once bustling cement works into a shadow of industry - but the Fast and Furious franchise is about to breathe life into it

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Andrew Brooks has a long standing obsession with exploring abandoned places

Hidden in Akranes, Iceland - about 20km north of the capital Reykjavik - the cement works was once a seamless industrial machine, now its machinery gathers dust.

The photographer says the building was "One of the largest and most dramatic locations I've been lucky enough to photograph"

Andrew Brooks, 39, was in Iceland traversing glaciers and volcanoes when he heard about the eerie cement works from a local guide.

He said: “I’ve long been interested in documenting disused buildings so I’m always looking for new ones to access.

Even though the building has long been abandoned all the lights were on inside

“I did not know much about the cement works before I headed in but it was one of the largest and most dramatic locations I’ve been lucky enough to photograph.

Luckily for the photographer access was made easy with a local guide who had a key

The vast structure has remained unused for over a year

“The location was easy was we went in with a key holder. Most of the buildings I explore are spaces where I have permission to access.

“It sometimes takes a lot to arrange to be let in but I think it’s important to have someone who is connected to the place there with me to show me around and talk about its history.”

Fast And Furious producers snapped it up to use as a filming location for the upcoming movie Fast 8

On this particular trip the reason behind the works’ closure remains unclear, although Brooks’ guide said competing cheaper imports may have been the catalyst for the closure of the factory.

However, the cement works was snapped up by producers of movie Fast 8 as a filming location and the eerie building housed an elite team of car experts - and the people who play them - during filming.

Braving freezing temperatures the duo wrapped up warm with head torches for safety

As Iceland only dishes out light sparingly, Andrew Brooks had to get creative when capturing the hidden corners of the haunting space.

The Manchester-based photographer said: “It was very cold in there so keeping myself and my camera equipment warm was important.

Dusty footprints and pristine equipment tell old tales of a bustling work force

“It was also quite dark in places so I needed to take time to do long exposures using a tripod to really capture the detail and atmosphere of the factory.”

Although the works was abandoned over a year ago, the ghostly place still echoes with the footsteps of its previous occupants.

The photographer used extended exposures to combat the bad lighting inside the cement works

Brooks said: “It was interesting to see that all the lights were on, it almost felt like people had upped and left very quickly only a few hours before.

“It also felt like it was still occupied and in the dust of the cement you could still see other people’s footprints.”