Real estate agents have a reputation for putting a positive twist on the properties they are marketing.
A description of a ‘charming apartment filled with natural light’ often refers to a small studio flat showcasing just one window, while the phrase ‘brimming with potential’ is typically used to describe a run-down property.
Yet, one estate agent in Norfolk has taken an innovative approach in promoting a 1950s nuclear bunker situated in a field.
Auctioneer Trevor Blythe, affiliated with the Brown & Co estate agency, acknowledged that the bunker has lost its practicality since the perceived threat of nuclear conflict has greatly diminished.
When asked for a potential application, he remarked, ‘Perhaps a wine cellar. I can’t conceive of any other purpose for it aside from simply descending and appreciating it for what it is – just a hole in the ground.’
The bunker was constructed in the 1950s, amidst rising tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Locals in Norfolk were apprehensive about being caught in the crossfire, prompting them to create a nuclear bunker.
It boasts an observation post, and its interior is designed to accommodate up to three individuals for a duration of three weeks following a nuclear incident.
The bunker lacks both running water and electricity; however, owner Fred Sharman mentioned, “there is what I call a bucket and chuck-it toilet.”
When asked by the BBC about potential buyers for the bunker, Sharman remarked, “I think it’s going to attract someone a bit quirky. It’s not likely to appeal to the average person, but it’s all about what suits an individual, and perhaps that person is out there.”
He continued, “I found one listed for sale and thought: I’ve got one of those, so I decided to explore what I could do with it. If someone spots it and thinks it’s something they desire, and it fits within their budget, then I have nothing to lose. To me, it’s just a chunk of concrete.”
What may seem like a chunk of concrete to one could transform into a beloved wine cellar for another. The auction is set to commence at 11am on Tuesday, November 12, and will last for a full 24 hours.
Blythe mentioned that there are around 1,500 similar bunkers located throughout the UK, with some having fetched impressive prices in the market. He believes it could attract a distinctive wine collector or an individual looking to possess a slice of British post-war heritage.
For wine enthusiasts seeking inspiration, Château Siran in Bordeaux boasts a nuclear bomb-proof wine cellar, which currently stores every Siran vintage dating back to 1912.