At the time of the amalgamation of the Mercantile Bank of Lancashire and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank in 1904, Northenden is one of around forty Branches of the Mercantile Bank. This is a useful acquistion for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, as it includes not only key towns in parts of Cheshire that nowadays form part of Greater Manchester, but also six Isle of Man Branches and four cattle market agencies. We are always delighted to find extra period detail in the images of Martins Bank’s many and varied branches, and at Northenden, we can zoom in on this Gents’ Hairdressers, situated conveniently next to the branch!

Image © Barclays Ref 0030/2088

Northenden is another example of the corner aspect much favoured by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, which puts the business in two streets at once. Information about Martins Bank Northenden is hard to find, and Martins Bank Magazine does not pay the branch a visit. We have details of around twenty staff, but images of only two of them. Fortunately, there is a retirement write-up for one of the two members of staff from our gallery - Mr Paersch retires early due to ill-health, but still manages a collosal thirty-nine years’ service!

On 5th June, the staff of Northenden branch, together with many other colleagues, assembled to say farewell to Mr. H. A. Paersch, who was retiring from the bank for reasons of health. Mr. H. Clegg, who has succeeded Mr. Paersch, was in the chair, and Mr. L. Heyworth, senior member of the staff, made the presentation. In his speech, Mr. Heyworth remarked on the good feeling at the branch, and wished Mr. Paersch a long and happy retirement.

He then handed a gift voucher to Mr. Paersch on behalf of the subscribers. Mr. Paersch commenced his career in 1908 as junior under Mr. Frank Voyce, who was at that time Manager of Fallowneld branch. After service at Brooks's Bar and Moss Side branches, he joined H.M. Forces in 1914 and served throughout the first world war until 1919. In 1921 he went to Shudehill branch, and the following year he was appointed Manager at Moss Side. He became Manager of Northenden branch in 1944.

Northenden seen here in its heyday, and after its swansong, awaiting new owners. Somtime between the 1960s and the present day the hairdresser’s shop door and window have been reclaimed as part of the bank. At the start of 2015 the windows might be papered over, but there is still a cash machine in the unseen wall at the far right end of the building…

1960s – Image © Barclays Ref 30-2088

2015 Image © Martins Bank Archive Collection

Mr H A Paersch Manager 1944 to 1947	Mr G R A Thompson On the Staff 1948 to ?	Mr Stan Norcross On the staff 1954 to 1956	Mr A R Higgs On the staff 1968 onwards

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Manager:

11-43-61 Northenden

Full Branch

402 Palatine Road Northenden Wythenshawe Manchester 22

764 Manchester

Mon to Fri 1000-1500

Saturday 0900-1130

061 998 2812

Nightsafe Installed

Mr G S Forster Manager

1892

1 July 1904

3 January 1928

15 December 1969

Friday 8 August 2014

opened by the Mercantile Bank of Lancashire

Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank

Martins Bank Limited

Barclays Bank Limited 20-61-77 Northenden

Closed Permanently at 12 Noon

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