(Photo by Brendamward)
Pigsonthewing requested I blog about this, and who am I to refuse such a complimentary man?
On CanalScapeBCN Ray Shill talks about the intriguing-sounding Decontamination Centre on the Eastside Locks. It was apparently built in 1939 on the instructions of the Home Office as somewhere for council workers to go after an enemy gas attack. It had three air locks, an undressing chamber, showers, toilets, etc.
I love the surprising little historical nuggets outwardly mundane, industrial-looking buildings like these can hold. Birmingham’s full of them. Unfortunately, this one isn’t set to last for long. Rumour has it it’s to be demolished as part of local regeneration. It seems such a pity somewhere with such an interesting story behind it can’t be saved for posterity, I’d love to have been able to explore and learn more about it.
