NEWS
Abandoned train tunnels below London 'to be transformed' into leisure sites
POSTED 23 Sep 2014 . BY Katie Buckley
Aldwych Station has been closed since 1994, but was used during the First and Second World Wars to store collections from the National Portrait Gallery and The British Museum Credit: flickr.com/diamondgeezer
Up to 34 Transport for London (TfL)-owned “ghost” train tunnels running beneath the UK capital could soon be transformed into an array of attractions and leisure sites, according to reports.

It is understood that TfL is preparing to invite companies to bid to take part in the transformation of several disused Underground and Overground Stations, as well as old horse tunnels that run below the city.

Ajit Chambers, a former Barclays executive, who started The Old London Underground Company back in 2009, believes TFL’s disused assets under the city could be worth around £3.6bn ($5.8bn, €4.5bn).

Out of the 750 tunnels that TfL owns, Chambers has identified 34 possible sites for transformation and reuse. He envisages 13 of these flagship spaces being used for art galleries, nightclubs, hotels and possibly a National Fire Brigade Museum.

Speaking to the MailOnline Chambers said: “In 2009, as part of my effort to assist the financial downturn in the UK, I founded a company that would unearth one of London’s state-owned ‘sleeping property portfolios.’”

In a statement, TfL said: “We cannot show any prejudice ahead of public tender” and that it had “no affiliation” with The Old London Underground Company.

TfL has already undertaken several Underground Station transformations. There is now a herb farm below Clapham North and a deal has recently been signed for customers to pick up Waitrose goods from lockers at Chalfront & Latimer.

Chambers has several prominent investors on board for the venture, including Duncan Vaughn-Arbuckle, founder of the Vinopolis Wine Museum, while mayor of London Boris Johnson has also pledged his support.
RELATED STORIES
  Mail Rail plans get the green light


Islington Borough Council has approved plans to open up a section of the old Post Office Underground Railway – also known as the Mail Rail – as an attraction for the newly created British Postal Museum & Archives (BPMA).
  Paris ghost stations could become leisure spaces


Paris’ 16 “ghost stations” which have been disused for decades could have new life breathed into them as leisure spaces, if ideas put forward by a politician come to fruition.
 


CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
Leisure Management - Abandoned train tunnels below London 'to be transformed' into leisure sites...
14 May 2024 Leisure Management: daily news and jobs
 
 
HOME
JOBS
NEWS
FEATURES
PRODUCTS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
PRINT SUBSCRIPTION
ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
Sign up for FREE ezine
Latest news

23 Sep 2014

Abandoned train tunnels below London 'to be transformed' into leisure sites
BY Katie Buckley

Aldwych Station has been closed since 1994, but was used during the First and Second World Wars to store collections from the National Portrait Gallery and The British Museum

Aldwych Station has been closed since 1994, but was used during the First and Second World Wars to store collections from the National Portrait Gallery and The British Museum
photo: flickr.com/diamondgeezer

Up to 34 Transport for London (TfL)-owned “ghost” train tunnels running beneath the UK capital could soon be transformed into an array of attractions and leisure sites, according to reports.

It is understood that TfL is preparing to invite companies to bid to take part in the transformation of several disused Underground and Overground Stations, as well as old horse tunnels that run below the city.

Ajit Chambers, a former Barclays executive, who started The Old London Underground Company back in 2009, believes TFL’s disused assets under the city could be worth around £3.6bn ($5.8bn, €4.5bn).

Out of the 750 tunnels that TfL owns, Chambers has identified 34 possible sites for transformation and reuse. He envisages 13 of these flagship spaces being used for art galleries, nightclubs, hotels and possibly a National Fire Brigade Museum.

Speaking to the MailOnline Chambers said: “In 2009, as part of my effort to assist the financial downturn in the UK, I founded a company that would unearth one of London’s state-owned ‘sleeping property portfolios.’”

In a statement, TfL said: “We cannot show any prejudice ahead of public tender” and that it had “no affiliation” with The Old London Underground Company.

TfL has already undertaken several Underground Station transformations. There is now a herb farm below Clapham North and a deal has recently been signed for customers to pick up Waitrose goods from lockers at Chalfront & Latimer.

Chambers has several prominent investors on board for the venture, including Duncan Vaughn-Arbuckle, founder of the Vinopolis Wine Museum, while mayor of London Boris Johnson has also pledged his support.



Connect with
Leisure Management
Magazine:
View issue contents
Sign up:
Instant Alerts/zines

Print edition
 

News headlines
Banyan Group appoints Paul Hawco to spearhead wellness strategy
Banyan Group appoints Paul Hawco to spearhead wellness strategy   14 May 2024

Paul Hawco, a seasoned figure in the international wellness industry, has assumed the role of executive director – integrated wellbeing at .... more>>
Snap Fitness' holding company – Lift Brands – is up for sale
Snap Fitness' holding company – Lift Brands – is up for sale   13 May 2024

Speaking to HCM, global CEO of Lift Brands, Ty Menzies, has confirmed that the company – owner of Snap Fitness and Fitness On Demand – is up .... more>>
Planet Fitness increases price of basic membership for first time in over 20 years
Planet Fitness increases price of basic membership for first time in over 20 years   12 May 2024

Planet Fitness has announced the repurchase of 314,000 shares at a rate of US$20 million. The Class A common stocks were repurchased and retired, .... more>>
Xponential dumps Geisler as company faces investigation by US Attorney’s Office
Xponential dumps Geisler as company faces investigation by US Attorney’s Office   11 May 2024

Xponential Fitness today indefinitely suspended founder and CEO, Anthony Geisler, saying it had been notified on 7 May that the company is facing a .... more>>
Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, unveils new-look lakeside destination spa
Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, unveils new-look lakeside destination spa   10 May 2024

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee in the southeastern US state of Georgia is celebrating a new milestone after unveiling its newly renovated .... more>>
Fast Fitness Japan acquires master franchisee rights to Anytime Fitness Germany
Fast Fitness Japan acquires master franchisee rights to Anytime Fitness Germany   09 May 2024

Fast Fitness Japan, master franchisee of Anytime Fitness in Japan, has acquired Eighty-8 Health & Fitness, giving the company master franchisee rights .... more>>
Company profile


Physical

Physical is the UK’s go-to, one-stop shop for commercial grade fitness equipment and flooring, with over three decades’ experience in functional training and free weights, small group training and group exercise.

View full profile>>

Catalogue gallery


Featured Supplier

Triple defence: Elemental Herbology's latest SPF shields against sun damage, blue light and pollution

Triple defence: Elemental Herbology's latest SPF shields against sun damage, blue light and pollution

Your skincare routine just got smarter thanks to Elemental Herbology’s latest product innovation, Smart Screen SPF50. More>>




in this issue

• Virgin gets right to wipe out rent arrears
• Fitness industry mourns passing of Jan Spaticchia
• STA offers mindfulness resources



Latest jobs

Jobs Search



Commercial Fitness Manager
Salary: £46,464 - £49,497pa + excellent benefits package
Location: Warrington, UK
Company: Warrington Borough Council
Exercise Referral Co-ordinator
Salary: £Excellent salary + benefits
Location: Horfield, Bristol, UK
Company: Everyone Active
Assistant Regional Director
Salary: £60,000pa +10% bonus + company car + benefits
Location: London, UK
Company: Parkwood Leisure
Diary dates
Powered by leisurediary.com

13-16 May 2024

W3Spa EMEA

Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia , Italy







Published by Leisure Media Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 | Contact us | About us | © Cybertrek Ltd