A network of top-secret tunnels beneath central London that were mentioned in the first James Bond book could be turned into a vast tourist attraction, it has emerged
The Kingsway Tunnels, which lie 40 metres below High Holborn station, look set to become an interactive ‘Heritage Experience’ complete with 007-themed exhibition.
Originally built in the 1940s as air raid shelters during the Blitz, the site was commandeered by the British government and used by its spies during the Cold War.
It housed a secret telecommunications base from which agents in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) monitored Russian intelligence and conducted operations.
007 author Ian Fleming, a liaison officer to the SOE, referred to the subterranean labyrinth in his 1953 novel, Casino Royale.
Now the 8,000 square-metre site could be opened to the public for the first time after plans were approved to change its use into a “visitor and cultural attraction”.
Developers The London Tunnels Limited are proposing high-resolution screens showcasing historical footage, interactive structures that bring the tunnels’ stories to life, and even scent-emitting technology to recreate the atmosphere of the times.
Hundreds of strategically placed speakers will complete the effect, enveloping visitors in a soundscape that reflects the different eras.
In a nod to Fleming’s Casino Royale, there may also be a Jamed Bond-inspired exhibition.
It will also be home to London’s deepest bar at which, one assumes, a vodka martini – shaken, not stirred – will be available.
Above ground, the entrance will be situated in a revamped building on Furnival Street.
This space will house a permanent, fully-accessible exhibition dedicated to the history of the tunnels themselves, encompassing their use during World War Two and the Cold War.
The City of London council granted its approval last week, while Camden council is due to make its decision in a committee meeting on July 11.
In a statement, The City of London council said: “In keeping with the City Corporation’s ‘Destination City’ policy, the growth strategy designed to boost seven-day-a-week footfall for the hospitality, retail, and leisure sectors, the proposed permanent ‘Heritage Experience’ would directly reference the historic tapestry of the City, whilst the flexible exhibition spaces, would provide a unique and distinctive space for cultural events, within the Square Mile.
“To complement this further, an underground bar also features in the plans, located on the Camden side of the site.
“The visitor attraction will be fully accessible, appeal to all ages and contribute to the transformation of the High Holborn as a seven day and evening destination, whilst celebrating the area’s unique history.
“The proposals would also deliver a wider range of public benefits, with free visits to the heritage experience for London’s schools, community participation in shaping the design of the new cultural spaces, local job and apprenticeship opportunities, pavement widening and cycle spaces across the site, as well as an estimated £60-85m of extra footfall spending to the local area, per year.”
Shravan Joshi, the chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, added: “I am incredibly excited by these plans and hope that LB Camden feels the same way.
“At the City of London, we are delivering a thriving, sustainable Square Mile, through a combination of business growth and celebration of our local heritage. The new and exciting heritage, arts and culture activity that this scheme has the potential to deliver, will enliven the local streets and venues.
“As we work to transform the Square Mile into a seven-day-a-week destination, developments like the one proposed for the Kingsway Tunnel site will become global attractions for a variety of visitors, which are projected to rise substantially.”
The space is likely to make a pretty Moneypenny, with an estimated £60–80m of additional expenditure in the area each year.
A spokesperson from The London Tunnels Ltd said: “Naturally we are delighted with the decision of the City of London Corporation to resolve to grant planning consent for this project.
“This is an important milestone as we seek to preserve and open to the public for the first time this historic set of subterranean World War II tunnels. We now look ahead to a decision by Camden Council’s planning committee in the near future.”
Images © The City of London borough/The London Tunnels Limited
