The history of the UK safe deposit box dates back to the 17th century in London. We often think of safe deposit boxes in large bank vaults. However, the reality is that long before establishing banks, goldsmiths offered their customers safe storage of valuables in their fortified vaults.
The Rise of Privately Owned Vaults
Until 1875, the first privately owned National Safe Deposit Company opened its doors to large specialised premises on 1 Queen Victoria Street in London. This vault became so successful that it had amassed a whopping 15,000 customers in 1968. Sadly, less than 20 years later, it had to close its business because its lease had run out. Fortunately, this historic building still stands today, known as the City of London Magistrates’ Court.
Expansion of Safe Deposit Services
Chancery Lane Safe Deposit was Britain’s second non-banking facility, opened in 1876, providing safe storage for Londoners’ household silver and critical documents. Harrods opened its vault doors in 1896, St James’s Safe Deposit Company in Manchester in 1912 and London Safe Deposit Company in Lower Regent Street in 1931. Metropolitan Safe Deposits acquired it in 2012 and Selfridges in its Oxford Street store in the 1930s.
For the next 50 years, a few private safe deposit vaults were built in the UK, but none of major significance. Until the 1980s, we saw significant growth in brand new and modern private safe deposit centres in London, Birmingham, Manchester and other regional city centres. In the last five years, this has increased by 20%, partly due to the continued withdrawal of banks from these sites and the closure of their safe deposit facilities.
Modern Growth and Advancements
Safe deposit facilities have come a long way since the 17th century. The Safe Deposit Centre is Manchester’s only fully automated safety deposit centre and has been built to the highest security standards. We are proud to be the sole safe deposit centre with a Grade 10 vault in the North West of England.
We offer state-of-the-art access-controlled entrances with biometric technology. Further, more flexible visiting hours, making it easier than ever for our customers to gain access to their valued possessions.
We have many sizes of safe deposit boxes to meet different requirements. With prices starting from £50, they are the best safe deposit boxes in Manchester.
The Safe Deposit Centre: Manchester’s Premier Facility
For more information about our Deposit centre facility’s call us on 0161 273 7487 or email us at [email protected]