


Martins Bank Magazine spends much of the 1960s
showcasing brand-new branches of the Bank that sprang up from nowhere several
times a year, all over the country. In
1964 and in a sudden fit of remorse, the editor becomes “increasingly burdened with
the thought that through limitations of space we are unable to cover some of
the less fortunate offices”.
Attempting to right this wrong, the Magazine then decides to feature a
number of the older branches from the Newcastle area. Some of these –
including Wingrove Branch – were also lucky enough to have been given an
extensive makeover.
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In Service: 1905 until 27 January 2022

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Image © Barclays Ref 0030-2021
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Sadly there is little substance in the
text of the article, despite the inclusion of FIVE
pictures of the branch…
Therefore we have those to enjoy along with our “then and now” feature…


Wingrove Exterior Before…
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…and after
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Before visiting Newcastle upon
Tyne in November, we spoke to Mr Weatherill, the District General Manager, and
explained our wish to see a cross-section of branch life on Tyneside, from
the bright and shining new building to the other sort- the sort which
through age, lack of space, inadequacy of staff facilities or siting was
marked down for reconstruction. Our
first call was at Wingrove which, internally, is virtually a new branch.
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Wingrove
Interior Before…
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… and after
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As temporary premises
were available across the road during the transformation, the staff were
spared the discomfort of dust, grit, drilling and thuds. Sometimes, in our
more villainous moments, we have wondered whether being compelled to work
at a branch during the demolition of a strongroom might be used as a
punishment or even as an incentive to more rapid progress in the Banking
Diploma: transfer from such a place before work started could then become a
form of reward. We realise, of
course, that it would not work: it would be most unfair on the senior staff
and on the girls in particular. We spent longer than we had intended at
Wingrove with Mr N L Watson and his staff, who are a very cheerful crew…”
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Martins
Bank Colleague Paul Thompson has supplied us with a number of contemporary
images of North Eastern District Branches. Here we see Newcastle upon Tyne
Westgate Road – Wingrove Branch – at its best in the 1960s, and not looking
too bad today either…
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Image © Barclays Ref 30-2021
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Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections -
2015 Paul Thompson
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