Business as usual for oil blast neighbour Alcon

Alcon Laboratories' business contingency plan moved swiftly into action yesterday following the dramatic fire at the Hemel Hempstead oil depot on its doorstep.

The company's UK headquarters are next door to the site of Sunday's explosions, but the extent of the damage to its buildings is currently unknown.

Michael Withe, sales and marketing director, told Optician Online, that Alcon has relocated to temporary offices in Milton Keynes as part of the company's contingency plans.

'Currently, Alcon does not have access to the building to assess the extent of any damage,' a company statement said, adding that it expected to gain access either at the end of today or tomorrow, to further assess the situation.