Under the "Chancery Lane" Underground station in London, the historic "Kingsway Exchange" tunnels were built, serving as a deep refuge and a home for British troops during World War II, and later as a center for British intelligence operations. It is said that Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond character, explored these tunnels and decided to incorporate them into his novels, making them the headquarters of "Q," the genius of English intelligence, where he developed the inventions used by Bond in his thrilling adventures.
Today, the "Kingsway Exchange" tunnels are entering another narrative, which the people of London do not find particularly exciting. The "London Tunnels" company, which owns these tunnels, aims to transform them into a tourist destination and intends to list them on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, a move that the British Telegraph describes as "a slap in the face of the city."
According to the British newspaper's report, the historic tunnels will be listed on Euronext at a value of £130 million, "which is seen as a disregard for the London Stock Exchange, at a time when confidence in the city is shaken, as several companies have opted to list their shares on foreign exchanges."
The plan today is to renovate this historic site, which has not been accessible to the public for 70 years, turning it into a leading tourist destination that is expected to welcome three million visitors annually, "enjoying a mix of heritage and cultural adventures, as well as digital experiences," according to the Telegraph's report. The renovation plan will feature a modern museum displaying vintage aircraft models, models of military operation centers, along with sessions where visitors can enjoy delicious drinks in the deepest pub beneath London.
The Telegraph adds that the "London Tunnels" company has plans to open the site to the public in 2027 and is seeking to raise £30 million to fund the preparatory work through the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. The newspaper quoted Peter Curtain, the head of the "London Tunnels" company, stating: "Listing the London Tunnels on the European market gives investors the opportunity to acquire shares in what will be the last historic and heritage landmark to reopen in Central London." He believes these tunnels could become one of London's most important tourist attractions.
