Express Gases

Express Gases: independent gas retail from Bournemouth Airport

Express Gases operates as an independent retailer and distributor of leisure and industrial gases from its facility at Bournemouth Airport in Christchurch. The company describes itself as one of the largest independent retailers of its kind in Dorset and supplies cylinder gases for uses ranging from rent-free options for light industrial and hobbyist welders to high-volume propane supply for leisure parks and homes.

Its stated coverage area spans Dorset, South Wiltshire, West Hampshire and East Somerset, with the core supply activity centred on Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.

Cylinder gases and brands stocked

The product range is organised around cylinder gases for domestic, leisure, hospitality and industrial applications. The catalogue lists propane, butane, patio and BBQ gas, helium, food and beverage gases, welding mixtures and other industrial gases, alongside disposable cartridges and gas accessories.

• Propane: Calor Propane in 3.9kg, 6kg, 13kg, 19kg and 47kg cylinders, plus Calor Forklift Gas 18kg.
• BBQ and patio: Calor Patio Gas 5kg and 13kg.
• Butane: Calor Butane 4.5kg, 7kg and 15kg, plus Campingaz and GoSystem camping cylinders.
• Helium: Hobbyweld Helium and Adams Helium.
• Food and beverage: Adams CO2, Adams 30/70 and 60/40 CO2/nitrogen mixes, Hobbyweld Hobbybrew 30/70 and 60/40 mixes, and Hobbyweld Carbon Dioxide CO2.
• Welding: Hobbyweld Argon, Hobbyweld 5 and 15, Adams 5% and 20% CO2/argon, and Adams Argon.
• Disposables: Campingaz butane, Campingaz butane/propane cartridges, GoSystem Power Source canisters, GoSystem PropanPro, Faithfull butane/propane 350g cartridges, Vortex MAP-X brazing gas and Vortex propane/butane cylinders.
• Other industrial: Adams Oxygen, Hobbyweld Oxygen, Adams Nitrogen and Hobbyweld Acetylene.
• Specialist gases: Air Products.

Brands featured by the retailer include Calor, Hobbyweld, Adams Gas, GoSystem, Campingaz, Fire Safety Stick and Air Products, for which it presents itself as an agent.

Calor partner status and supply focus

In 2022 the company gained Calor Gas Partner status, which it presents as making it one of the largest suppliers of Calor Propane, Butane and Patio Gas in Dorset and the surrounding areas. From its Bournemouth Airport facility it supports Calor cylinder stockists and customers with their supply.

Delivery and collection

Express Gases provides both delivery and collection services. Delivery runs Monday to Friday, is guaranteed within three working days according to the company, and is free for Calor orders of two bottles or more and for orders over £100 to BH postcodes. Collection is free and available during working hours and around the clock from the collection cages at the Bournemouth Airport site.

The catalogue displayed prices when this profile was written, including Calor Patio Gas 13kg at £60.00–£114.99, Calor Butane 15kg at £61.50–£111.49, Adams CO2 at £22.00–£260.00, Calor Patio Gas 5kg at £30.00–£79.99 and Calor Propane 19kg at £60.00–£129.99.

Company background and team

Express Gases formed part of Steve Tollerfield's family business from 2015 and was separated as an independent company in 2024. Steve Tollerfield, a former HGV driver, continues to run day-to-day operations at the main depot and on the road. Sophie Tollerfield joined from a business background in 2024 and oversees the company's development and modernisation. The team also includes Matt Rischmiller as Operations Assistant, Phil Beakhouse as Gas Operative and Riley as Customer Relations Manager.

The company's site displayed a Trustpilot rating of 4.9 out of 5 when this profile was written.