The ECHO has taken a look inside the warren of abandoned tunnels and vaults that run under one of Liverpool's most famous streets.
Underneath Castle Street are long abandoned spaces that could be transformed in the near future after two historic bank buildings were acquired by property investment firm JSM Group.
It's said that one tunnel, running under the former NatWest Bank building on Castle Street, connected the major banks of Liverpool's financial district during WWII. If one building was destroyed by bombs, any money and valuables could be easily transported to another bank underground.
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As a major port, Liverpool came under direct fire from Hitler and the German Luftwaffe; the city was the most bombed outside of London.
The former NatWest bank is a Grade II-listed gem that has been empty since 2017. It was built in a renaissance style between 1898 and 1901 and has retained its grand domed ceiling and statement fireplaces in the main banking hall.
The site was bought by JSM Group in January 2021 and its upper floors are set to be converted into a hotel. Discussions are ongoing with potential occupiers for the two ground floor restaurant units, including the stunning former banking hall.
As well as abandoned tunnels, the bank has a number of old vaults and safes underground. JSM's Matt Crebbin said these spaces would be utilised by future occupiers as kitchens or storage.
Across the road in the Grade I-listed Bank of England building, at the junction of Castle Street and Cook Street, the ECHO was given a look at its former vaults and some of the graffiti left behind by Love Activists in 2015. Five anti-capitalist protestors occupied the building for a period of time and were subsequently jailed.
JSM bought the former Bank of England building in April 2022 and it could be set to become a luxury restaurant.
Matt added that 'both buildings have that 'wow factor'' which is 'due to their history and grandeur architecture': "A leisure operator would be able to incorporate this into their own concept."
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