The case of the disappearing bank

It’s one of the most famous addresses in the world. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective hero Sherlock Holmes had his home at 221b Baker Street in London and for many tourists travelling to London a visit is high on the list.

There never was a 221b but since 1932 that stretch of the street has been the headquarters of Abbey National, UK’s fifth-largest bank, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Holmes fans still send letters to their hero at 221b although he would have been long dead even had he ever been alive.