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 Martins Bank’s sub-Branch at  Sunderland Grangetown opens in 1964 on Windsor Terrace,
complete with an illuminated sign that
is actually redolent more of a chip shop than a bank. Here is another case of “blink and you’ll
miss it”, as Grangetown is one more casualty of the 1969 cull of Martins
branches ahead of the merger with Barclays, as they have enough local
coverage with their own Branch nearby.
Whilst open under Martins, Grangetown does provide a full
six-day banking service to local customers and traders. Our records show that a nightsafe is
installed, but looking at this image of the Branch, there does not seem to be
one yet – we assume that it may (or may not) have been added at some time
after the photograph was taken. Grangetown sub-Branch opens to take on the
business of another Martins sub-Branch – at nearby Hendon – which is then
closed. The only other sub-Branch to
Sunderland Fawcett Street is at Washington, and along with Grangetown, it is
also surplus to requirements and is closed for good in 1969, the business of
both being transferred to Barclays’ Victoria Road Branch.
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