Bank building to be converted

Paul Prescott

I cannot recall what make of vaults Martin’s bank used (maybe Hobbs ??) but it may be an opportunity to acquire some nice stuff if any proactive collectors can get in during the strip out ?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3442341/The-historic-bank-hid-nation-s-gold-World-War-II-set-luxury-hotel-spa-following-50million-investment.html

Tom Gordon

Chatwood

Huw Eastwood

According to the Martins Bank website there were numerous alterations to the building throughout its history, including security upgrades and strengthening work to the concrete vaults after WW2, so what’s there now might be different to original if doors were changed etc.

Paul Prescott

MaxVaultage wrote
According to the Martins Bank website there were numerous alterations to the building throughout its history, including security upgrades and strengthening work to the concrete vaults after WW2, so what’s there now might be different to original if doors were changed etc.

Maybe - but I’ve seen, as I am sure you have old vaults inside newer ones. Also with a large project many of the door locks etc could have been supplied as part of the original fit out.

If I were nearby I’d be sure and check it out.

Did I just hear Tom leaving Devon and heading north ?? 🙁grin):

[unknown]

Huw Eastwood

Yes was just passing the info on that’s all.

Theres an interesting read that’s well tucked away in the archives on their site. Couldn’t post a link to the page direct via iPad, so if you want a look go to:
http://www.martinsbank.co.uk

Then scroll down left to ‘FEATURES’ and click on ‘MARTINS AT WAR’

Then select the lower option- ‘MARTINS BANK- THE SECOND WORLD WAR’

Then scroll down to ‘NOT SO TOP SECRET’

Then scroll down to the bottom left ‘Bullion Boys’

its well worth a read about how they stored 280 tons of our Gold there before taking it out to Canada.

wylk

This should be a direct link to the article about gold storage:

http://www.martinsbank.co.uk/Martins%20at%20War%20-%20The%20Bullion%20boys.htm

Huw Eastwood

Yes that’s the one thanks

taigameduaxe

but it may be an opportunity to acquire some nice stuff if any

Safeone

I am not that far away from there, probably 45 mins depending on the M62 traffic chaos, but with all the Health & Safety regs that swamp any form of building sites or constuction alterations I dont think there would be any chance to even view what was going on let alone ‘aquire’ anything.

I do know a chap who is well established in the site security business so there maybe a route there that I could explore. Access to take a few pictures would be a start.