The people of Birmingham used to stash their treasures in the underground space
The vaults used to house Birmingham’s most precious treasures(Image: University of Birmingham)
A secure underground vault that used to house some of Birmingham’s most precious treasures under Broad Street have been opened for visitors to explore.
The old Birmingham Municipal Bank, now known as The Exchange, sits opposite the Library of Birmingham and its 4,000 safe deposit boxes in the basement were used to store gold and other valuables.
The building opened in 1919 and the Grade II-listed building was bought by the University of Birmingham in 2018 after having no permanent tenant for nearly 20 years.
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Then in 2021, it reopened as the University’s civic city centre hub, where the public could engage with academic research and enjoy the popular cafe and communal spaces.
Now it’s underground vaults have been opened as part of Birmingham Heritage Week, a free exhibition, thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Unlocking The Vaults exhibition runs from now until November 7, 2026, with Birmingham Heritage Week running from September 11 until September 20.
The Exchange on Broad Street(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
As well as seeing the safe deposit facility and its thousands of boxes, where Brummies stashed away jewellery and other valuables, the exhibition shares untold stories and hidden histories that tell of the legacy of Birmingham Municipal Bank and the wider city.
Objects, photographs and more uncovered during two years of research will tell how the bank became part of everyday life in Birmingham, from all different walks of life.
It includes personal memories from former employees and customers, such as the time the whole place was cleared out so Joan Collins could cash a check or when Resham Sahota – a significant contributor to the project – went to the bank in wedding clothes to pick up jewellery for her sister’s wedding.
Jane McArdle, who led the project, said: “Unlocking the Vaults has been a truly special journey working with community members to uncover and share the personal histories surrounding the Birmingham Municipal Bank.
An old archive photo of the Birmingham Municipal Bank(Image: University of Birmingham)
“By unearthing the stories of this unique institution, we’ve been able to shine a brand-new light on Birmingham’s history, and we’re delighted to share this with our visitors to The Exchange.”
As well as Unlocking the Vaults, for Birmingham Heritage Week, the University is hosting a guided walk of Metchley Roman Fort on campus while the Barber Institute of Fine Arts will host interactive family workshops at The Exchange.
There will also be different walking tours of campus, heritage University of Birmingham buildings, and of the city centre led by University of Birmingham experts.
The Exchange is open from Monday to Saturday, from 8am until 5pm. The cafe closes at 4pm.
