11-12-30 Manchester Cornbrook

The Adelphi Bank opens a branch at 323 Chester Road in 1891 and eight years later merges with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank. The Adelphi Bank opened several Manchester Branches, all of which will find their way into the portfolio of Martins Bank. In 1957 Martins Bank closes the Branch and moves over the road to Nos 248-250 Chester Road, seen here in the 1960s. This is likely to have been due to the old building having little or no room for expansion.

A large network of Manchester Branches comes Martins’ way through the mergers and amalgamations that lead to the creation of the modern-day Martins Bank in 1928. By 1967 plans are well underway to build the Mancunian Way, an arterial road that will cut through the city from one side to the other.

In its wake there are many casualties, some of them Martins Bank’s Branches, several of which are served with compulsary purchase orders. Mostly in run down areas, all have seen better days. Martins Bank Magazine decides to visit them on a “whistlestop tour” in the Summer of 1967. Just over three years later, Cornbrook will be closed…

In Service: 1957 until 16 October 1970

Image © Barclays Ref: 0030-0715

1967 03 MBM.jpg

We called at Cornbrook branch where in a bright if cramped little office opposite the Hope Inn, banking life goes cheerfully on. The first floor is fully utilised for storage and includes the staff/machine room, but on the top floor a truly original relic in the shape of a gigantic iron bath provides the secret for eventual demolition. By taking a few bricks out of the back of the building at ground level the weight of that bath to be enough to flatten the property.

1967 Cornbrook Staff MBM-Au67P22.jpg

Image © Barclays Ref: 0030-0715

Here we were reminded of the Duke of Edinburgh’s words when he was installed ten days earlier as the first chancellor of Salford University: “No one can deny the right of Northerners to make fun of themselves, but there is no need to take that fun seriously.

Image © BT 1956

Image © BT 1964

For all their idiosyncrasies there is a strength of character, a sense of purpose and an enterprise that runs through the whole long history of this part of England”. If one adds warmth and friendliness, that provides the ideal summing up for our branch staff.

MARTINS BANK LIMITED

248/250 Chester Road

NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK

236 Chester Road



*Mr H J Mottram* *Clerk in Charge* *1947 to 1965*	*Mr F Sharples* *On the Staff* *1955 to 1962*	*Mr D C Whiteley* *Clerk in Charge* *1965 to 1968*	*Miss M F Ashton* *On the Staff* *1966*	*Mr J R Taylor* *On the Staff* *1967*	*Mr S H Pennell* *On the Staff* *1967*



*Miss J G Williams* *On the Staff* *1967*	*Mr G V M Earles* *Clerk in Charge 1968* *Manager 1969 to 16//10/1970*