Nuclear bunker sells for almost double guide price

A 1950s nuclear bunker has sold for almost £30,000 at auction.

The Royal Observer Corp (ROC) bunker, located on New Road in Badsworth, Pontefract, fetched £29,000 when it went under the hammer on Thursday.

It had been given a guide price of between £15,000 and £20,000 after being restored to its original condition by its former owner, with an unknown proxy bidder winning the auction.

Auctioneer Andrew Parker from SDL Property Auctions said the "infamous" bunker "would be worth a lot more if you ever need it".

The bunker is one of more than 1,500 monitoring posts built to protect volunteers who would measure blast waves and radioactive fallout in the event of a nuclear attack.

It would have contained enough food and water for 14 days, with land line and radio communication facilities.

Mr Parker told bidders: "I would draw up your list of who you want to spend time with if you are going to use it."

The bunker's former owner spent two years restoring it into a 1950s time capsule located 15ft (4.5m) underground, although anyone planning a stay in 2024 would have to go without wi-fi and running water, and use a bucket for a toilet.

Mr Parker said despite their lack of modern necessities, bunkers "seem to be getting more and more popular", with four now sold at SDL Property Auctions.

He said he hoped bidders would "never get to use it other than for a day out".

A spokesperson for the auction house said the buyer wished to remain anonymous.

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