Step back in time to the Nottingham War Rooms, a former Cold War command centre designed to endure the unthinkable. Built in the 1950s to withstand all but a direct hit from a nuclear bomb, it has stood as a witness to our shared post-war history. Decommissioned in 1965, this Grade II listed building has remained relatively untouched, holding a glimpse into what life would have been like for those who would have worked and lived in the war rooms if the need arose. We've meticulously documented every artifact from the building and explored local archives with Cold War experts, ensuring that the legacy lives on for generations to come.
The Nottingham War Rooms boasts a Lamson Pneumatic Tube Exchange Messaging System – one of only two remaining in the UK. The first operating pneumatic tube system was launched in 1853 at the London Telegraph Office. In 1893, Philadelphia introduced the first pneumatic tube messaging systems for telegrams, mail, and small parcels, with Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Chicago, and St. Louis also adopting the system. By 1915, these six cities collectively had over 56 miles of pneumatic tubes operating beneath their streets. Following the Second World War, the use of pneumatic tubes became focussed on localised systems, like the Nottingham War Rooms, and they still enjoy vibrant use today with healthcare and financial and accounting systems relying on pneumatic tubes to safely and securely transport materials.
Pneumatic tube systems, also known as pneumatic transport systems, efficiently convey objects or documents over short distances through a network of tubes using compressed air. Employed in diverse settings such as banks, hospitals, retail stores, and offices, these systems comprise carriers, stations, diverters, and blowers.
The operation of pneumatic tube systems involves placing materials into carriers, inserting them into stations. The blower activates, creating pressure to propel the carrier through the system. In modern systems, computerised controls manage diverters, ensuring the carrier follows the correct path and arrives at the designated destination station. In the Nottingham War Rooms, all messages would have been manually relayed through a tube exchange system, still located inside the building today.
The Lamson Pneumatic Tube Exchange would have been used to carry important Government messages around the Nottingham War Rooms, quickly relaying important information around the building to reach the relevant individuals. It is one of only two surviving systems from this era, and the project team will be working hard to restore, at least in part, the system to working order.
lamson pneumatic tube messaging System
Step back in time to the Nottingham War Rooms, a former Cold War command centre designed to endure the unthinkable. Built in the 1950s to withstand all but a direct hit from a nuclear bomb, it has stood as a witness to our shared post-war history. Decommissioned in 1965, this Grade II listed building has remained relatively untouched, holding a glimpse into what life would have been like for those who would have worked and lived in the war rooms if the need arose. We've meticulously documented every artifact from the building and explored local archives with Cold War experts, ensuring that the legacy lives on for generations to come.
lamson pneumatic tube messaging system
Pneumatic tube systems, also known as pneumatic transport systems, efficiently convey objects or documents over short distances through a network of tubes using compressed air. Employed in diverse settings such as banks, hospitals, retail stores, and offices, these systems comprise carriers, stations, diverters, and blowers.
The operation of pneumatic tube systems involves placing materials into carriers, inserting them into stations. The blower activates, creating pressure to propel the carrier through the system. In modern systems, computerised controls manage diverters, ensuring the carrier follows the correct path and arrives at the designated destination station. In the Nottingham War Rooms, all messages would have been manually relayed through a tube exchange system, still located inside the building today.
The Lamson Pneumatic Tube Exchange would have been used to carry important Government messages around the Nottingham War Rooms, quickly relaying important information around the building to reach the relevant individuals. It is one of only two surviving systems from this era, and the project team will be working hard to restore, at least in part, the system to working order.
The Nottingham War Rooms retains a preserved 1960s kitchen where food would have been prepared for the hundreds of workers who would have been needed to operate at the building. From hot plates to a Viscount cooker, every appliance contributes to the cold war era aesthetic. Our commitment to historical preservation ensures that this kitchen, complete with its vintage charm, remains a testament to the daily lives of those who would have inhabited this unique space. The room will be revitalised into a bespoke event space which will showcase the historic kitchen in its former glory.
cold war kitchen
Journey through the 'BBC Corridor' and discover the voices of the past and future – the BBC Emergency Broadcasting Facility. This is a unique purpose-built space, lined with acoustic panels, and once stood ready to broadcast vital information in the event of nuclear war. The control room with its glass panel is connected to the studio via one of the acoustic panels which is hinged and forms a low door. Through careful restoration, the room will once again be able to serve as a recording studio, providing much-needed space for the creative industries of Nottingham.
BBC emergency broadcasting facility
The mechanical heart of the Nottingham War Rooms are the Plant and Switch Rooms. This room houses the ventilation and filtration plant, standby generator, Lamson Tube System pumps, and original electrical switchgear which would have kept the building operational and safe for those inside. Providing clean air and power to the Nottingham War Rooms was a significant and important operation, and much of this important machinery will be retained, enhanced and exhibited through our proposals.
plant and switch rooms
