Exploring Manchester's Abandoned 1920s Bank - Found Wartime Documents
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- Опубликовано: 19 янв 2023
- In this video, we head inside an old, abandoned bank in Manchester that was built in the 1920s. The six-storey building contains ornate architecture and wartime remains in extensive underground vaults that have been disused for decades.
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abandoned urbandoned derelict urbex explore exploring uk united kingdom england manchester bank vault money gold cash underground refurbishment rennovation construction site safe power electricity air raid shelter documents left behind belongings documentary walkthrough video 
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Another victim of the internet. No vast amounts of cash change hands every day, very few cheques are cashed, deposits are moved from account to account with the click of a mouse or a few taps on a mobile phone. Documents are stored in the Cloud rather than in strong rooms and safes. How things have changed in such a short time. Another classic, so thanks again lads.
No worries
I surveyed a certain aspect of this building back in 2018 and It’s actually amazing to see how little work has been done on the building since then with only a phase 1 strip out happening in that time. The upper 3 floors hadn’t been used since the 80s with only the floors 2-4 being used by co-op for test kitchens, offices etc. until around 2012 with only the art gallery remaining in the main entrance hall until recently. Last I heard it was indeed going to be a hotel but was then shelved by the building owner and from what I’ve been told what the actual use of the building will be is yet to be decided.
The company in which I completed the survey for no longer seem to be part of the project works on the building which is a shame as they certainly did the surrounding buildings - Redfern & Dantzic some justice in keeping most of the heritage features. Hopefully whoever takes it on follows suit as it would be a great shame to remove all of those amazing features.
Also, I got lost when walking around the lower floors too, some of those corridors and staircases don’t make sense at all, even if you have the drawings to hand 🤣!
Great video as always guys! Keep up the awesome work!
Glad you liked it! It's certainly a maze in there!
Did you go down the tunnel access way that was bricked up what is on the other side please?
@@TheAnonyy I wonder if that didn't lead to another building.
I've been in the Emergency Refuge Area - it’s not a small air raid shelter, it’s a huge open underground space between Hanover and Dantzic buildings that could easily hold hundreds of people. My understanding is there was a lot of junk stored down there at one point, but following the IRA bombing in 1996, they cleared it out and left it empty to be used as a refuge area.
From 1997-1999 I worked at Co-op Travelcare head office in Hanover building (between the old bank and the current Co-op bank building). At that time you could go between all the Co-op buildings through the underground tunnels.
On one of the floors in Dantzic (behind Hanover) I came across accounting records from as far back as the 1930s, and much of the building’s original interior decor and features appeared untouched in many places.
I worked in IT and we had a couple of main server rooms; one underground (hence knowing about and having access to the tunnels) and one to the front of Hanover building. In the Hanover one it was just about possible to get behind a false wall and down to the original main entrance at the front (which at the time was not in use and boarded up with dark panelled wood), and all the original tiles and decor were still intact and looked truly spectacular.
The rest of Hanover building still had a lot of those features buried beneath layers of paint sadly. I never understood why they did this given how impressive the original features were. I don’t live in the area anymore, though I see online they’ve opened up that main Hanover building entrance again; I hope they left the interior well alone in the process!
Thanks for the video - it’s a shame you couldn’t get into the Emergency Refuge Area, it would have been interesting to see that space again after all these years.
Just come across this video, it's amazing the places we pass on a regular basis and just don't realise what lies behind the four walls. The document dated 4th October 1945 was an incredible coincidence, I was born that day just about 10 minutes walk away at St Mary's hospital on Whitworth Street.
Wow that must have been amazing when you saw that!
Would make an absolutely beautiful hotel in the right hands.
Basil Fawlty where are you? 😄
Give it to pontins!
Or Wetherspoons 😁
@Jamie Norridge probably one of the only uk investors that could afford to keep a building like that open for business sadly.
*your hands
This was our choir's weekly rehearsal space (on the ground floor at 3:45) for a few years up until the pandemic - it was always FREEZING but we loved it!
Co-op use to own all the buildings around there, even The Printworks back in the day. You could walk between all the buildings around Sadler's yard underground. Looks like they've put breeze block walls up no in the passages between the buildings now which is a shame. I went in the same rooms around 8-9 years ago as a Co-op employee as we were removing the last of the IT equipment from this building know as 'The Old Bank'.
I think the busts shown at 5:05 were in the room shown at 22:03 when I last went to a meeting in that place in late 2019.
The venue had been temporarily taken oven by a creative hub for a few years prior to the pandemic whilst waiting for redevelopment (they could use the space until the builders move in to redevelop the space).
I remember that room (with the wood panelling) with a large board table and late 60s, early 70s style of modernist chairs). The room also had a lot of greenery plant next to the windows.
Beautiful venue. Hope the put better security in place to prevent vandals destroying priceless original features.
Amazing architecture, just like you guys were I was also surprised at how preserved it is. The room at 14:30 no words for that.
I really hope they keep the memorial, the lobby and the staircase as it is and change nothing about it.
I can't imagine working there back in the good old times, and seeing all the great architecture and the small details they contained.
It seems like they will keep as much as the old features as they can. It was extremely surprising to see as many architectural features as we did!
Really enjoyed this. My partner used to work there for the Co op milk group for over 15yrs , he was telling me things about it as we watched. Thank you 🙂
Glad you found the video, must be interesting for him to see it and remember stories that happened here.
What a beautiful place!!! It should be preserved.
Hopefully!
It must be a listed building, mothballed rather than abandoned, as it's prime real estate in the city. Also, it being former Co-op property it has very strong links to Manchester.
Let's hope it gets renovated to its former glory.
There is definitely a part of Manchester kept in the building, surely will be restored
That's the issue with listed buildings, the listing of it, usually means they are too expensive to restore so they go to ruin. It's a strange way to help protect buildings.
What an amazing place. I half expected to see Captain Mainwaring, Wilson and Pike!
You guys always find the most amazing architecture! So rare to find locations with details preserved like this. Great work as always!
Glad you enjoyed a look at the property :)
This was my 1st bank, Co-Op Bank, New Century House, Mcr, though I only ever used its quaint Macclesfield branch. Amazing to see the reality behind it. Thanks chaps ! 🙂
No worries
I worked on the complex for 20 years back in the 70s plus, loved it there
I look after the pub, Sadler’s Cat, that backs onto the bank (and some of our unused furniture is in your film so cheers for locating that for me haha) I believe plans for the bank are on hold for another 2 years as our lease has been extended for that time period.
Eventually the end plan is to demolish the pub and extend the bank & repair any structural issues. We’re still not 100% sure what the end goal for the building is though and it may be a fair few years before we learn that.
WOW, what a truly incredible find. There will never be anything like this built again and the architecture of that era is truly some of the best ever. Thanks for taking the time to go through this. This time it didn't feel rushed. Really enjoyed seeing some of that great architecture. Loved the windows.
We try to take our time working our way around the buildings as to ensure we don't miss anything. Glad it's appreciated :)
There are a load of tunnels between the co-op buildings, that’s probably why that blocked up section was done. There are some blocked off sections in other co-op buildings.
Yes, I worked for the Co-op briefly 10 years ago and since I was agency I was sent all over between all the buildings they own on that entire block as others knew about the walking involved!!
@@ladyandthefrogs - I read a rumour that there is a tunnel from the co-op estate to the nuclear shelter but I doubt that is true. Accidentally perhaps.
The link below the road was most likely not to an air raid shelter. This was far more likely to have been a link to another Co-op owned building. Most likely bricked up to stop access to the adjacent building or that the adjacent building had been demolished. This was common in a good number of buildings in Manchester. Sadly as ownership of the buildings changed, these access routes were blocked up to prevent intrusion.
From memory. The Co-op owned a few buildings in this area. I think in this case, the adjacent building still exists, from which, most likely the other side of your wall can be seen.
Amazing building.
Can't believe how the Manchester skyline has changed.
Always changing!
So much beautiful art deco design in there. I would kill for those interior glass doors and chandeliers.
Wow amazing, went in this bank as a child with my mum back in the day 😊
I worked on that campus until its final days. The building you were referring to was named old bank. Behind that brick wall was the hanover building which is now owned by wework I think.
I was wondering if that tunnel led to the Hanover building! :)
Art Deco untouched. Rare. What a find
In the middle of Manchester makes for perfect hotel development but more than likely apartment development.. nice video showing the inside of a nice building 👍👍👍
In such a pivotal location right next to Printworks and the train station, can't be abandoned long
Thanks Lads for another fantastic Urbandoned video. What a brilliant building that looks like it will lead another life, but in its past must have been stunning. You can see from the architecture that when its was first built it was there to display the strength that the bank would have had in its heyday. The vaults and offices plus documents that were a little more intact gave us a glimpse into how life must have been back then. Thanks for all your efforts to show us your find.
No worries mate! Definitely - a good way of putting it - it's impressed up to this point and will impress again in the future.
I work in the Hotel right behind this building and I'm completely shocked that so much history has literally been right under my nose this whole time, it is such a shame to see so much of the building just abandoned and left to fall apart, it reminds me that only 5 years ago I worked in the Radcliffe Markets and under that building was a perfectly preserved World War shelter that had similar bricked off doorways that connected to huge tunnels under all of Radcliffe and connected many more maybe more or less preserved shelters and bunkers, I wish I'd got more videos and pictures of the shelter rather than 2 terrible snapchat stories of it
Love watching these videos to see the beauty, from the past. But how sad that we choose profit, over creating something timeless in the buildings built today.
Loved the clocks, the ww2-era docs, the vault doors - like in a battleship ! Wow.
Brilliant film. recall in late 1970s the banking hall. When new bank HQ built the banking hall became a CWS archive of historical books, documents and papers. great architecture - particularly glad the war memorial to fallen Co-op band employees was featured - so handsome and precious. Thanks for your brilliant work.
Superb video guys; thank you and well done.
Neil 👍
Cheers mate
This was a wonderful explore. Thanks for the upload. I wonder what use they are planning the building for. I love when old Art Deco buildings are able to be converted into flats or lofts. I am wondering how they will keep the original use of the bank in the finished product- I can’t imagine they would take that war memorial down and the foyer is just magnificent. So much historic architecture and potential here. I hope the construction is successful and these restoration efforts stay strong. I have a feeling this place could survive given enough money and dedication.
No problem. Glad that you enjoyed watching. We can only hope the construction works out and we can revisit the building in years to come.
Hi guys another excellent video and i really enjoyed the video so much. Thanks for making it.
No problem man! Thanks for watching :)
Very interesting video guys. I love historic places like this. Definitely among my favourite types of explore.
Great to hear you liked the video
😮 thank you for sharing this breathtaking exploration
Amazing site to explore! Another great job of documenting historic locations. Your work is definitely some of the best of Urbex! Thanks for sharing your adventures, guys!
Much appreciated. Such a stunning property..
Beautiful building, detail galore!!!
So many ornate!
Another fantastic video and a great place
Thank you sir
Fantastic video as always! This place is beautiful!! 😁
Thanks!
Fantastic video, thanks for sharing,. God bless 🙏
Thank you guys, always great work!!!👍
Really appreciate it, thanks
Thanks for documenting this. Knowing Manchester it'll be knocked down for a hideous glass tower soon.
Built to last
🎯💯👏🙋♀️🇬🇧
Nice video man :D
I work on bank vaults in the US, and the vault is not meant to swing on its own. They should stay where they're placed. This vault swings because of problems with the bearings or the frame is slightly out of square. Older buildings often have problems with the foundation settling or decay in the foundation footer.
I'm not as familiar with Chatwood vaults, but I don't imagine the bearings are much different than what you find on this side of the pond.
Quality explore lads.
What a lovely building and unspoilt. Excellent video and a narration.
Thank you! Glad you liked the feature
absolutely beautiful building Art deco Thank you I hope someone saves it
Stunning building, those lights in the main foyer are exquisite
A fantastic Art Deco building hopefully it's a listed building so protected
I was going to say the same thing 👍
Very nice explore always good to see a "hold" Bank intact.
I worked in that Bank from 1971 when I left school.
Loved that, what a fantastic building in very good condition. I too would love to see a good transformation.
Don't think we will be waiting as long as we do for some buildings we have visited.
How i would have loved to do what you are doing, when i think of the derelict and abandoned buildings waiting for time to take its course...in Manchester of the 80’s ...
13:27 XD
Another great video guys👍
oh wow the marbled paper at 10:58, they really are some OLD legal documents
Your sponsor's name is interesting! End of the sponsor message sounds like "...if you would like to purchase a crappy old power station..." - very appropriate for your videos I think!! 😆
The bust is of J T W Mitchell. The room with the gold lanterns is the Cooperative Group first world war memorial
Loved it
I knew this was gonna be another good one! I REALLY want to know what was really behind the bricked-up wall! The colourful skylight at the end! 🤩
So do we! Really teasing that wall...
Beautiful building
Would make a beautiful repurposed building for big spacious flats!
I would open a coffee shop & biz on first floor & multi fam residences above...
That building is HUGE. ... I didn't think they were ever that big ? .... I'm guessing it must be the head office for the Co-op Bank. ... Thank you for posting !!
Wonderful , I would imagine it is a listed building and there must be planning application lodged with the council somewhere for its future use.
The less well armoured doors were probably to document storage rooms. Deeds, safe custody boxes, etc.
Thank you for another great video! I'm new to your channel and love your content ❤️. I'm happy that you don't show your method of entry. Seems that not all urbex folk are as considerate as yourself 😔 I do hope that memorial and the skylight survive 🤞
Awesome video. Subbed Hell on earth brought me here
At 11.35 when you said “more and more smaller vaults”, did you see the orbs on the left side of the screen?
This building is definitely not abandoned and it appears that there are some preliminary works taking place to facilitate full redevelopment. I'd suggest this will be completed once the building opposite is finished.
I’m from Glasgow… we painted an old bank in the town centre years ago … the vault doors were amazing… the had been painted to look like old oak Glasgow tennament doors…. The detail was absolutely fantastic… not a chance of getting any one to come near the kind of workmanship I seen that day …. Unless you were aware of vault doors they were invisible
Unfortunately I witnessed so much of this woodwork being ripped out
For developers it was cheaper and more pleasing to the eye to remove… the damage done in the 80s-90s was horrendous
And now the demand for wooden wall panelling is huge lolol
in 1972 i was an apprentice and used to take home £9.43 per week and the qualified men used to take home about £13 p.w . so the £10 cheque would have been a tidy sum
Have you guys been to the old Martins Bank in Liverpool ? A stunning building
perfect music
I worked on Atlantic Street in Manchester.
Remember a Women’s Hostel - grand building .
Anyone know if this there ?
Great video - I think a cinder bloke could of ben removed and sneaked in that passage !
Like anything Art Deco.
Absolutely stunning architecture detail that use to be the former Bank would look absolutely amazing onece restored to it's former glory and would make a very grand hotel.
Imagine cashing a cheque in 1972 and then it still being intact 50 years later!
Hi great Video... What was it like in the old bank building where the corner butts up against the modern CIS tower? was there a way to enter the CIS?
The main tower is a block away, with a road in between. I think you must mean new century house which is the modern connected building
@@contactjd yes I do what level is is connected at a friend who worked there would never say as it was not done to discuss the bank or business out side.
The building connects up to one of the CO-OPERATIVE bank offices, it is accessible through the old bank yes.
Is this the Cooperative Bank HQ? From memory, it was in Balloon St.
Buying power of £10 in 1945
For example, if you started with £10, you would need to end with £421.34 in order to "adjust" for inflation (sometimes refered to as "beating inflation"). When £10 is equivalent to £421.34 over time, that means that the "real value" of a single U.K. pound decreases over time.
Nice
Is that the building they used in the Monty Python short about the Pirates taking over the bank?
Wonderful video, thanks for posting. The art-deco fixtures and fittings are magnificent. That entrance foyer was breath-taking. I'm assuming it was the original Co-Operative Society headquarters now replace by that hideous glass and steel carbuncle also in Manchester. We need an eccentric billionaire to restore it to it's original 1920/30 glory. Happy to see that the usual 'spray-can' w**kers have not desecrated the place.
Yeah, it was great to see the building free from vandalism. So many incredible features of different eras spread across the whole building
They're now discussing knocking it down and replacing it with a multi-storey car park, of all things :(
Probably be a weatherspoons next year
Love
I'm surprised there isn't on-site security here. If the wrong kind of people get into this place, it could quickly turn into a shit hole.
There is, on the ground floor of the connecting office building. He has his own CCTV station with lots of screens, but he patrols the bank and office block. Just not the inside of the bank
That tunnel was a shelter from the 50s cold war.
I'm unclear, how is The Coop Bank a "notorious banking Business"? Do you know what that word means?
Oh I don't know, "notorious" isn't entirely unjustified - have a read of this:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Flowers_(banker)
Make a great art gallery and museum.
i believe it was used for a gallery recently
I feel like letting buildings get to this state should be illegal, though how you'd enforce it I don't know. It's beautiful.
Some sort of mechanism you say, that'll be gravity. Pretty sure back in the day, £10 was £10 ;-)
I hope they keep that war memorial there is a people who look around for old memorials inform war graves comission or local British legion
It’s sad that now this video is out there vandals will get in and destroy it. 😢 such a beautiful building.
🖤
If it were abandoned, the power wouldn't be on and there wouldn't be signs of occupation such as that and taped-off areas. Don't let on how you got in if it was without permission, but I'm amazed you did! I bet the Co-op still own it, and have plans for it. The worry is that if you can access this building, so can squatters and others who may use it for drug taking etc and who may prove hard to shift. An open access place like this in central Mnachester? Amazingly careless on the part of the Co-op.
Meus amigos esse banco foi inaugurado em 1927
You can tell by the font it's from 20 or 30 years ago and it sold for one shilling. Is that what you said or did the subtitles pick you up wrong?