Vanguard Self Storage, an England-based company approaching its 50th anniversary, is proud to flaunt its personal and local history through some unique building accoutrements, including a former RAF Hawker Hunter fighter jet that was installed on its roof in July. In addition, the company displays other military souvenirs at its headquarters including an artillery gun, an armored vehicle and another plane. The items have been collected over the years by the company's founding director Mac McCullagh, who is still in charge today, according to the source.
Vanguard, founded in 1964 to provide industrial moving and storage services, has changed the decorative icons on its landmark building over the years. Its prominent tower has displayed many items including over-scaled furniture, a giant Father Christmas and a single-decker London bus.
Although Vanguard has long since sold off its lifting business to focus on storage, the company retains many souvenirs of its past at its Perivale headquarters. Its private storage hangar contains other unexpected items secured by McCullagh including printing presses, a huge poster for concerts Michael Jackson never lived to perform, a plaque to Hogarth from Leicester Square, the clock from the former News of the World building, a Routemaster bus, and razor wire said to come from the Wapping protests of the 1980s. Photos of the various collectibles can be viewed at www.vanguardstorage.co.uk/history.
Vanguard Storage Services Ltd. is privately owned and family-operated business. Over the decades, the company has been involved in high-profile work including the erection of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree and the renovation the Cutty Sark clipper ship. The company reinstalled "Eros" on his pedestal following works in Piccadilly Circus and maneuvered the nearby Horses of Helios into their fountain. The printing presses of Fleet Street and the Victorian engines of Tower Bridge were similarly lifted. According to the website, the companys little-known archives offer a fascinating glimpse into the changing face of London in the second half of the 20th century.
In the last decade, Vanguard has focused on self-storage services and developing other commercial property opportunities. The company opened its West London (Greenford) store in 2003, its East London (Canary Wharf) store in 2004 and its Manchester (Swinton) store in 2009.
