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As we see below in our “before and after” photographs, the
building itself looked VERY different prior to being acquired and altered by
Martins in what looks like a probable demolish and rebuild. Gone is Arthur Pearson’s shop, in its place
a bank that will last for more than thirty years in its new home… |
In service: 3 March 1936 – 16 November 1979 |
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Image © Barclays Ref 0030/2569 |
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Before… Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections |
After… Image © Barclays Ref 0030/2569 |
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The only way we really know that this is the same location
is the constant presence of the F A LUND
shop to the left, and
the ANDERSON shop to the right. At the time of
the merger with Barclays, South Cliff is surplus to requirements and closes
in 1970. Westborough does however survive a little longer – until the end of
1979. Scarborough is one of the last
branches to enjoy a visit from Martins Bank Magaine, and this fairly long
write-up appears in the Summer 1969 issue…
Many of its street names have a regal air: Royal Albert Drive, Queen Margaret’s Road,
Prince of Wales Terrace, Victoria Road—names reflecting nineteenth century grandeur. Scarborough can claim the distinction of being Britain’s
first seaside resort. The discovery on the South Cliff of medicinal springs
brought the health-seeking wealthy to the town and from ‘taking the waters’
the patrons were further persuaded into taking health-giving ‘sea bathing
cures’. As Britain’s only seaside spa Scarborough began to grow in size and
popularity. From the South Bay the town spread northwards and an impressive
promenade was built below the castle to join the two bays, a task which took
Victorian engineers eleven years to complete. Today
Scarborough offers everything one could wish from a seaside holiday and it is
an excellent tourist centre for the North York moors. We hadn’t expected the
town to be so busy in spring but crossing over Westborough to our branch was
quite an adventure. |
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Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030/2569 |
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Our man at No 96 is Mr Max Coates, a pipe-smoking
Yorkshireman who takes life as it comes. A philosophic approach is necessary at a holiday resort for
anything can happen during the season –and it usually does. ‘This place gets
like a mad house, he remarked, but when the visitors have gone, life settles
back to a more or less normal pace. Hailing from Batley, near Leeds, Mr
Coates has spent his career in Yorkshire, coming to Scarborough from Wyke
four years ago. Off duty he enjoys pottering in his garden up at Scalby Mills
or tinkering with his Land Rover “without getting too involved”; occasionally
he gets in a round of golf but the irregular routine and after-hours calls on
customers do not allow him much leisure time. He is treasurer of the local
YMCA, a lively group second m size to York’s. This year he is treasurer for a
young group who are entertaining a youth soccer team from Scarborough,
Ontario. The branch here had recently
been transferred to the control of Barclays’ Local Head Office at York and we
were interested to find out how the changeover was coming along. “We’ve had no real problems and York have been very
friendly and co-operative” Mr Coates said. “Of course, we were naturally
prejudiced in favour of our tried and trusted methods, and we often have to
think twice about procedures but the initial difficulties are being ironed
out. We’ll soon get into the swing of things”. John Davenport, Pro Manager,
agreed. He is particularly impressed by the extent to which social activities
are being organised by Barclays. John is in his element at Scarborough, and
naturally it is a paradise for his three children. They live at Peasholm just
beyond the beautiful park and twenty-five minutes’ bracing walk from the
office. Born in Bradford, John
Davenport was in charge at Headingley before his move here two years ago.
R.S.P.C.A. work is one of his main interests: he is treasurer of the
Scarborough branch. No visit to Scarborough is complete without a view of the
sea and in John’s car we did a quick tour of the sights: up to the terraces
overlooking North Bay, overshadowed by the gaunt ruin of the Castle keep;
down to Peasholm and along the spray-drenched promenade, narrowly avoiding
retreating photographers as the waves broke along Marine Drive. |
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Round the corner by the harbour the painters were busy
sprucing up the ‘Golden Mile’ and scaffolding enmeshed the Futurist Theatre,
the summer home of the ‘Black and White Minstrels’. In a few short weeks the spa would echo to
the music of Max Jaffa and Jack Byfield but just then there was only the sea,
the wind and the gulls. Our branch opened here in 1936 and three years later
Dorothy Robson joined its staff. She is now invaluable to the team as branch
historian and memory-jogger. An exile from Liverpool is Barbara Moss who
until crossing the Pennines was at Liverpool Trustee. Barbara, a keen
rambler, spends much of her spare time on the moors where she is a National
Park Warden’s Assistant. She is also Secretary of the Scarborough Folk
Dancing Club. When it comes to machines Margaret Beavers is proficient at
both the Burroughs and the Singer. A talented dressmaker, she was sporting
one of her creations and very nice it looked, too. She has been at the branch
for two and a half years and takes a relief till when things get hectic. Someone, unfortunately, has to do the junior’s job and ‘mucking
about generally’, as she put it, is Kath (Sunshine) Jennings. ‘Sunshine’ is
the name bestowed on her by Mr Davenport and well describes her cheerful
personality. All the more surprising is her interest in ‘blues’ music—a case of taking one’s pleasure
seriously. When the tills were balanced, we
were able to make contact with Scarborough’s front line. Joan Gilbert is a
motoring enthusiast, nipping round the country in her Triumph Spitfire. There
was bound to be a cricketer about and here we found Tony Tarsey whom we had
met at the cricket festival in previous years. Coming from Hull two years ago
where he played for his local team he hopes to play
for the Seamer Club this season. Newly arrived from Dewsbury and settling in
nicely is Stephen Waring. Appropriately for a cashier one of his hobbies is
numismatics. Scarborough will provide plenty of scope for his other interest,
geology, and no doubt the cliffs will soon be ringing to the sound of his
hammer. We are fielding a first-class eleven at Scarborough and if you happen
to be holidaying that way this summer spare them a thought as they slave away
over their hot counter—and
if you have to cash a cheque why not stand ‘em ice creams all round. They
deserve it. |
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Title: Type: Address: Index
Number and District: Hours: Telephone: Services: Manager: |
11-52-70
Scarborough Full Branch 96 Westborough
Scarborough Yorkshire 631 Leeds Mon to Fri
1000-1500 Saturday
0900-1130 Scarborough 2132 Nightsafe
installed Mr M Coates
Manager |
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3 March 1936 15 December 1969 16 November 1979 |
Opened
by Martins Bank Limited Barclays Bank Limited 20-76-00 Scarborough Westborough Closed |
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