A father has built a man cave in the style of Winston Churchill’s wartime bunker with real submarine doors weighing 600 kilos each and reinforced walls – because it reminds him of a Second World War-themed pizza joint where his parents took him as a child. David Massey, 41, who built the bunker after his wife Magdalena suggested he convert their garage into a “man cave”, has gone to extreme lengths to recreate the 1940s wartime atmosphere, with original submarine doors salvaged from a Japanese U-boat worth £3,000 and Second World War-themed music playlists featuring artists from that time such as Dame Vera Lynn and Glenn Miller.
He also says it could provide shelter for his family in case of nuclear attack. While Dave, who lives with his wife and two daughters Sofia, nine, and Isabella, six, in Preston, meant for the bunker to be a place where he can relax with a glass whisky, it also serves its original purpose of providing shelter in case of attack, having been equipped with enough food and water to last a month and protective military “chem” suits in case of emergency.
The 180 square foot war room, which has its own toilet, shower and 55 inch TV, cost Dave around £20,000 to make but he says it reminds him of a better time and that it was worth every penny. “My wife said why don’t you turn the garage into a man cave, you deserve it,” said Dave, who owns ADS Automotive and Eldon Street Garage in Preston.
