Lack of Nuclear Conflict Shelter Space Prompts Private Bunker Demand

A radiation and heat protection suit inside the former RAF Hack Green secret nuclear bunker in Nantwich, England, on May 24, 2023. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The lack of underground shelter space for protection during a nuclear conflict is prompting people to invest in private bunkers.

The “scare factor” from potential nuclear fallout, especially with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, is a major reason why individuals are preparing for the worst, according to Charles Hardman, who runs the company Subterranean Spaces.

He told The Epoch Times that some of his most in-demand products is the top-end bunker.

Unlike the prepping community, which focuses on self-sufficiency for potential food and fuel shortages, Mr. Hardman’s clients seek multi-million pound, nuclear blast-proof steel bunkers, built at depth, with integrated air systems that can pull air through specialist nuclear filters.

Tick The Box

“The average one costs three and a half to four million pounds,” he said. “For that price you get a 300 square feet bunker with a tunnel,” he added.

Some of his clients include energy company directors, Middle Eastern royalty, and European car company owners.

He said that fear of nuclear conflict, especially due to the recent Russia-Ukraine war was a major reason for bunker purchases, though a desire to showcase wealth also played a role.

He said that very wealthy people wanted “to tick the box” with a Ferrari, an Aston Martin, a house in Europe, and a house in the UK.

But now, a nuclear bunker is “something they can tick the box with,” he said.

Mr. Hardman, who also has quite a lot of inquiries overseas, in Europe and Saudi Arabia, said that demand had “plateaued” in England, in part due to the fact that news coverage of the Ukraine war has dropped.

“The only reason people call up is if they get worried,” he said.

“It’s the wrong time; it’s too late then. These things take eight to ten months to a year to build. People should be preparing now. The whole of Europe is getting them done,” he added, citing Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany as examples.

Though he warned that in the UK there’s no preparation. “There’s nothing,” he said.

A general view inside the former RAF Hack Green secret nuclear bunker in Nantwich, England, on May 24, 2023. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Nuclear Sites

In March, President Vladimir Putin warned the West that Russia is “technically ready” for nuclear war.

And Europe is preparing for that, if it has not done so already. For example, places like Switzerland have a high number of bunkers, about 360,000, enough to shelter all 9 million residents.

The UK ordered the construction of thousands of underground complexes during the Cold War, though many of them are disused and deserted today.

In 2022, a Freedom of Information request was submitted to the Ministry of Defence (MOD), inquiring about the availability of bunkers in Northeast England that could withstand blasts and be accessible to the public. The department responded that it cannot confirm or deny information regarding the UK’s domestic nuclear preparedness due to concerns about National Security.

However the site Subterranea Britannica website has detailed over 200 individual sites.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with China's President in Beijing on May 16, 2024. Sergei Bobylyov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Marching Towards World War Three

Paul Thompson from the company UK Nuke Shelters told The Epoch Times that some countries have enough bunkers to house the whole population.

“Israel has to have a safe room for every property. China and Russia have built vast bunkers for their populations, and yet, in the UK, they’re like, ‘No, we don’t need bunkers,’” he said.

Mr. Thompson’s company fills a niche by building smaller, more affordable bunkers, ranging from £20,000 to £150,000.

“You tend to have people who build bunkers for billionaires and millionaires, some of these are extremely lavish, with cinemas and swimming pools. But that’s not what the everyday person can afford,” he said.

Though he said that the growing interest due to increased awareness of potential conflicts.

“More and more people are waking up to the fact that we are basically marching towards World War Three between NATO and Russia,” he said.

Nuclear war followed by climate change were people’s biggest concerns.

“People tend to have the same set of reasons. They sometimes just end up in a different order,” he said.

‘Do You Want to Advertise Your Bunker?’

He added that discussing bunkers is much more acceptable now.

“We had them in World War Two, Anderson shelters, of course, they made a couple of million, but they did save millions of lives,” he said.

However he explained that the difference between now and then is that the humble World War II Anderson shelter was designed to offer British householders an afternoon of protection during bomb raids.

But in a fallout shelter, where you must hide from potential radiation, people may need to stay for two weeks or longer. Therefore, it has to be comfortable to live in, with sleeping quarters, cooking facilities, washing and bathing amenities, and entertainment and games etc.

“We had fallout from Chernobyl land in Wales, and we still have to scan the sheep today for radiation,” he said.

Mr. Thompson’s wife, a trained psychologist, provides video content to help people cope during crises in a potential bunker situation.

He said that planning permission is growing and depends on “what area you live in and who you are.” However, some clients may wish to remain tight-lipped about such a project.

“Do you want to advertise your bunker? Because when it all goes wrong, they are going to be in your bunker—and if you’ve only built one for your family you can’t support half the neighbourhood,” he said.