INSIDE THE VAULT – NATWEST’S SECURE LEVEL PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME

Bank vaults by their very nature are secretive affairs, but for the first time, the inside of the former Natwest bank in Ryde has been revealed. Photographs have been published in connection with Ryde Town Council’s bid to purchase the former bank, revealing exactly what the secure basement level looks like. It was still operational in August last year. As previously reported by Island Echo, Ryde Town Council has agreed, in principle, to purchase the building in St Thomas’ Square for £426,000. Although plans are still being finalised, it is hoped that the acquisition will enable the Town Council to have new, accessible offices alongside rentable interview rooms and meeting rooms for local organisations. The former bank would also boast new accessible toilets, as well as a community information centre and a genuine hub for community groups. The photos reveal a large vault door leading into a room made up of 3 metal cages. The door warns that staff should ensure the room is empty before sealing the door shut and, of course, no smoking is permitted. A large safe – which once would have held huge sums of money – can be seen within cage 2. To get to the safe any person would have had to gain entry to the basement and then through the vault door, before getting into the metal cage and then into the safe itself. At the other end of the basement level, cage 4 hosts another large safe which is elevated off the floor on bricks. This cage is less secure though as it appears to be made out of wood and chicken wire, suggesting the contents of the safe were less valuable but still worthy of being behind lock and key. It is assumed that the vault door and 2 safes will be left in situ when the building is sold due to their size. It’s unclear exactly what was stored in the basement and whether or not the bank had safe deposit boxes, although markings on the wall and floor suggest storage of sorts. Do you have a story to tell…? Let us know in the comments or email [email protected].