Lyfthaus Enhances Inclusion at The London Silver Vaults
The split-level basement layout created significant navigational barriers for disabled visitors and those with limited mobility.
Lyfthaus installed a low-rise platform lift equipped with automatic safety barriers, a grab post, and a frameless glass upper gate.
The marketplace is now fully accessible, providing safe and easy movement for all visitors while maintaining the site’s unique historic charm.
The London Silver Vaults on Chancery Lane is a world-renowned subterranean marketplace, housing the largest collection of silver for sale globally. Originally a 19th-century secure storage facility with 1.2-metre thick steel-lined walls, the vaults famously survived a direct bomb hit during World War II.
Today, this historic site consists of over forty family-owned shops, offering everything from 17th-century antiques to contemporary luxury goods, and has long been a destination for celebrities and literary inspiration.
Despite its prestigious reputation and fascinating history, the underground nature of the vaults presented a modern challenge: accessibility. Located within the split-level basement of Chancery House, the site featured architectural barriers that made navigating the different levels difficult for visitors with mobility impairments. Preserving the unique character of such a historic, fortified environment while ensuring inclusive access for all guests was a critical necessity.
Lyfthaus was commissioned to conduct a comprehensive survey and design a bespoke low-rise accessibility solution. The installed platform lift was engineered for both safety and aesthetic integration, featuring automatically rising barriers to protect wheelchair users, a fixed grab post with integrated controls, and a sleek, frameless glass gate at the upper level. This modern intervention provides a seamless transition between levels without compromising the vaults’ distinct atmosphere.
The installation has successfully opened up the London Silver Vaults to a wider audience, ensuring that every visitor can explore the historic shops safely and independently. By resolving the split-level navigation issues, the Lyfthaus solution has modernised the visitor experience while respecting the site’s 19th-century heritage. The vaults are now as accessible as they are secure, welcoming a new generation of collectors and tourists.
Industry
Retail
Lift Solutions Used
Platform Lift
Product Highlight
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