The Eisenhower Centre (Goodge Street)

[overtheunderground]

Hi all, I've been trying to track down some info on the Eisenhower Centre, on Chenies Street, just off Tottenham Court Road. It's one of the entrance buildings to the old Northern Line bomb shelters, and according to the land registry it's still owned by London Underground.

So far I've found out that it's being used for archival storage, but I can't seem to see what company is in charge, or who I might be able to talk to for more info about access and day-to-day operations. I've just spoken to someone at TfL, who very kindly said she'd pass on my details to a colleague who might be able to help, but I thought it's be sensible to post here as well in case anyone can pass anything along.

Thanks very much!

[slugabed]

My advice would be to go direct to the Eisenhower Centre and ask.
A friend of mine (of whom I am jealous) chatted up the guys working there and got an impromptu tour "downstairs" about 8 years ago.
Being a gurl helped,though,I suspect.
She said it was pretty empty down there in terms of storage.
Even if they don't let you in,they can let you know who in their firm would be able to give permission.

[programmes1]

Jul 24, 2010 13:36:36 GMT @overtheunderground said:

Hi all, I've been trying to track down some info on the Eisenhower Centre, on Chenies Street, just off Tottenham Court Road. It's one of the entrance buildings to the old Northern Line bomb shelters, and according to the land registry it's still owned by London Underground.

So far I've found out that it's being used for archival storage, but I can't seem to see what company is in charge, or who I might be able to talk to for more info about access and day-to-day operations. I've just spoken to someone at TfL, who very kindly said she'd pass on my details to a colleague who might be able to help, but I thought it's be sensible to post here as well in case anyone can pass anything along.

Thanks very much!

Goodge Street deep level shelter to be correct, the company which leased it originally was called Security Archives don't know if it's still them. They also leased a number of other deep level shelters.

[slugabed]

Jul 25, 2010 8:52:53 GMT programmes1 said:

Jul 24, 2010 13:36:36 GMT @overtheunderground said:

Hi all, I've been trying to track down some info on the Eisenhower Centre, on Chenies Street, just off Tottenham Court Road. It's one of the entrance buildings to the old Northern Line bomb shelters, and according to the land registry it's still owned by London Underground.

So far I've found out that it's being used for archival storage, but I can't seem to see what company is in charge, or who I might be able to talk to for more info about access and day-to-day operations. I've just spoken to someone at TfL, who very kindly said she'd pass on my details to a colleague who might be able to help, but I thought it's be sensible to post here as well in case anyone can pass anything along.

Thanks very much!

Goodge Street deep level shelter to be correct, the company which leased it originally was called Security Archives don't know if it's still them. They also leased a number of other deep level shelters.

That's right,Security Archives....they were rumoured,in Subterranean circles,to be a MI5 front company.
Certainly,from what my friend told me,they didn't seem to be rushed off their feet there.

[JR 15secs]

Jul 25, 2010 10:47:42 GMT slugabed said:

Jul 25, 2010 8:52:53 GMT programmes1 said:

Goodge Street deep level shelter to be correct, the company which leased it originally was called Security Archives don't know if it's still them. They also leased a number of other deep level shelters.

That's right,Security Archives....they were rumoured,in Subterranean circles,to be a MI5 front company.
Certainly,from what my friend told me,they didn't seem to be rushed off their feet there.

The deep shelter at Goodge Street is different to all the others except Chancery Lane, There are extra bits.

[Ben]

I'm sure most of the deep level shelters are now owned by TfL for whatever reason. Might have read it online somewhere... possibly here many years back :S Something relating to the northern line maybe?

Rumours as to MI5/6 occupation or use of many parts of the undergrounds infrastrucure is rumoured all over the place, not just in 'subterranian [excellent punnage, slugabed ] circles'.

[abe]

According to one of TfL's annual reports (1997, I think - it's not with me at present), LUL reacquired the Northern line deep shelters as part of the Northern line upgrade programme. This was allegedly for storage and/or substation improvement work. Those shelters surplus to requirements afterwards were then re-let. I use the word 'allegedly' because an FoI request to LUL came back with a response saying that they knew nothing about it - even though it was in the report! Conspiracy theorists can make of that what they will...

[ianvisits]

I could be (probably am) wrong, but from memory, the recentish purchase only applied to the deep level shelters that were south of the river which just happened to come up for sale.

As I understand it, the Goodge St facility is actually quite busy as it is one of the few central london secure archives - and a lot of media firms use the place.

Part of the difficulty of getting a tour - if you find the right person - is that the archive storage is just boxes on shelves, and if they let "tourists" into the place then they either have to make the storage boxes secure, or lose part of their "no one will ever get near your stuff" sales promo to clients.