Shanklin opened a state-of-the-art police and fire headquarters, which remains at the heart of the town’s emergency services today, on 28th September 1951 – 75 years ago.
Costing £32,719, equivalent to around £1.33million today, the new Landguard Road complex was one of the Isle of Wight’s most ambitious post-war public building projects. It brought the police and fire brigade together on a single site for the first time, replacing outdated facilities with a headquarters designed for the modern age.
For Shanklin’s firefighters, the move marked the end of years of upheaval. During the Second World War they had been based at the Gloster Hotel after it was requisitioned as National Fire Service headquarters, but the building was destroyed in the devastating Luftwaffe raid on 3rd January 1943. Forced back into their ageing Victoria Avenue station, they had to wait another 8 years before finally moving into purpose-built accommodation.
The new fire station featured 2 appliance bays, hose-drying facilities, workshops, lockers, a recreation room and living quarters for retained firefighters. A steel training tower stood behind the building, while a remotely operated siren linked to Newport Fire Station could summon the crew within seconds of an emergency call.
Police officers also found themselves in surroundings that were a world away from their previous accommodation. The station included modern offices, charge and detention rooms, a records department, lecture and parade rooms, together with living accommodation for the resident station officer.
The headquarters also became a place of remembrance. A memorial to the firefighters killed during the 1943 bombing raid was installed in the new station, ensuring those who lost their lives would never be forgotten by future generations of crews.
Hundreds of guests attended the official opening before being shown around the new headquarters. The building was hailed as an example of modern public service, designed to improve cooperation between the police and fire brigade while providing facilities that would serve the growing seaside town for decades to come.
That proved to be the case. For more than 70 years, thousands of emergency calls have been answered from Landguard Road as generations of police officers and firefighters have protected Shanklin and the surrounding area.
Although the police enquiry office closed in 2012, operational policing continued from the site – and still does. There are, however, plans for the public front desk to reopen later this year, restoring face-to-face access for local residents.
The adjoining fire station continues to protect the town, 75 years after the complex first opened its doors.
