Self-storage firm Vanguard has installed a meticulously restored vintage jet fighter plane in its new Bath branch months before its launch early in 2025.
The De Haviland Vampire T11 takes pride of place in the building on the former Regency Laundry site on Lower Bristol Road which was snapped up by Vanguard two-and-a-half years ago after a plan to build an innovative co-living scheme with 155 studio apartments was turned down.
Privately owned, family-run Vanguard was formed 60 years ago to provide industrial moving and storage services, later diversifying into self storage.
The Bath centre will be the nineth in a portfolio that includes six in London and one each in Bristol and Manchester.
These units all feature historic and cultural artifacts, including an English Electric Lightning interceptor aircraft in its Bristol site and a Hawker Hunter displayed at one of its London buildings.
Vanguard’s West London branch has featured an eclectic array of rooftop exhibits – including a helicopter, a Doctor Who TARDIS, a Mark IV tank and a Supermarine Spitfire.
The Bath site’s iconic Vampire aircraft, a symbol of British aviation excellence according to Vanguard, was originally delivered to the RAF in 1952 and spent most of its service life based at Pembrey, West Wales, as an advanced training aircraft.
It was acquired by Vanguard last year, restored and transported to the Bath facility in eight carefully managed sections.
Once inside the centre, a dedicated team reassembled the aircraft over five days, followed by three days of intricate work to suspend it securely in its striking display position.
Vanguard managing director Will McCullagh said: "Restoring and displaying these iconic pieces of history is a personal passion for us.
“Our business roots were in industrial moving and engineering services, which led us to acquire numerous items over 60 years.
“We are delighted to share some of these treasures with local communities and welcome visitors to our stores.”
Once opened, the new Vanguard facility in Bath will offer 45,000 sq ft of lettable storage space for business and private customers across four floors, together with a business lounge.
Its storage units will be individually alarmed, and the site will be monitored 24/7 by CCTV, ensuring the highest levels of security for customers.
Designed by Bath architects Designscape, the building aims to blend seamlessly with the city’s heritage by using a combination of Bath stone, glazing and bronze cladding.
Regency Laundry, which had provided fresh linen to some of the area’s top hotels for more than 140 years from the site, relocated to Corsham in 2021.
