Forgotten underground stations to become NIGHTCLUBS, museums and hotels in £3billion deal

ABANDONED and eery, these are London's abandoned underground stations.

The eery and unloved stations deep under London are set to be revived in the multi-billion deal The eery and unloved stations deep under London are set to be revived in the multi-billion deal [GETTY]

Unloved for decades they could soon be transformed into hotels, nightclubs and tourist attractions in a renovation worth BILLIONS.

Transport for London (TFL) – which owns 750 deserted stations and 'ghost' tunnels – are preparing to offer deals to private companies within the next month.

The multi-billion-pound investment could see the spooky, sealed-off stations transformed into a range of commercial sites including art galleries, museums and shopping malls.

Quietly hidden deep beneath London, many of the deserted stations and horse tunnels became shelters during the Blitz, used to house migrant workers and protect priceless artworks.

Aldwych Station was one of the sites used to stash irreplaceable paintings during the Second World War and –despite being closed for the past 20 years – is now believed to be one of the locations proposed for new commercial use.

The famous 107-year-old, Grade II-listed station has appeared in a range of films including Patriot Games, Creep, and Atonement as well as being a major plot-point during an episode of BBC show, Sherlock.

One of the 750 deserted and empty stations lying beneath the capital city One of the 750 deserted and empty stations lying beneath the capital city [GETTY]

A rotting tube map from the 1960s still hangs on the wall of Aldwych Station platform A rotting tube map from the 1960s still hangs on the wall of Aldwych Station platform [GETTY]

'Operation Elgin' saw hundreds of priceless Elgin marbles moved into Aldwych Tube 'Operation Elgin' saw hundreds of priceless Elgin marbles moved into Aldwych Tube [GETTY]

However, renovating the Capital city's forgotten tube stations is not a new proposal.

Ex-Barclays banking executive Ajit Chambers, 41, estimated that the network of lost tunnels was worth over £3.6billion, back in 2009.

Hoping to capitalise on his estimate, Mr Chambers then set up the Old London Underground Company – which aimed to renovate stations on behalf of TFL.

The company has since changed its proposals and despite highlighting 34 possible sites, Mr Chambers now aims to focus on 13 flagship stations.

The underground-entrepreneur hopes to transform these flagship stations into thriving galleries, nightclubs and a National Fire Brigade Museum.

The first episode of series three of BBC's Sherlocks opens with a plot set deep in Aldwych Station The first episode of series three of BBC's Sherlocks opens with a plot set deep in Aldwych Station [BBC ]

There are over seven HUNDRED of the eery 'ghost' stations hiding deep under London's pavements There are over seven HUNDRED of the eery 'ghost' stations hiding deep under London's pavements [GETTY]

The discoloured posters and empty stations are home only to rodents – until latest deal is confirmed The discoloured posters and empty stations are home only to rodents – until latest deal is confirmed [GETTY]

In a statement, TFL explained that they have "no affiliation" with the Old London Underground Company.  

A spokeswoman said: "We cannot show any prejudice ahead of a public tender".

However, deals have already been completed to convert some London underground stations.

Tunnels beneath Clapham North station have been repurposed and are currently being used as a herb farm, while underground customers are able to collect their online orders from lockers in Chalfont & Latimer station, in Buckinghamshire.

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