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The familiar corner
aspect enjoyed by so many of Branches of Martins, and other banks is actually
quite a clever and early example of what is now called product placement –
although it is unlikely to be known by that name in 1899 when the North
Eastern Banking Company opens a branch at Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne. Having a corner entrance means, of course,
that your company is visible in TWO streets at once – let’s
hope the local council doesn’t want to charge twice the business rates! Benwell is a full branch of Martins at the
time of the merger with Barclays, and continues thereafter in service for
another eighteen years or so. Our
first feature is a flying visit paid to Benwell by Martins Bank Magazine in
November 1958…
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In Service: 30 October 1899 until 30 October 1987
Image © Barclays Ref 0030-1985
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 The branch at Benwell has been open for
well over half a century (1904) and the character of the district in which it
is situated has naturally changed quite a lot with the passage of time. We
were prepared to find an old and perhaps careworn office, and were agreeably
surprised to find one which is a real credit to its cleaner and to its
manager who has been careful of its appearance and has looked after it as
though it were his own. It is a very compact little office in which any
untidiness or lack of method would be immediately apparent. It is,
incidentally, the first branch we have seen where the office telephone is
housed in the kitchen! Here can still be seen the old high desks and office
stools of yesteryear. There is no industry in Benwell, but the office serves
the needs of multiple shops and there is quite a bit of agency work, but it
is essentially a “holding” branch. Mr. W. H. Young is obviously proud of his
branch and of his staff and the time we were able to spend there was all too
short.
Our second feature is
from 1962, when Mr Young is ready for retirement after a career that spanned
some forty-five years…
  The end of May saw the completion of 45
years' service on the part of 'Bill' Young. On his last day as Manager of Benwell branch, he was
arranging overdrafts, signing weekly returns, and attending to office routine
as usual. He also received a visit from Mr. H. Ryder, Assistant District
Manager, who called on behalf of the District General Manager to say
farewell. Later the same day he received the good wishes of his friends at a
party at the Crown Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne. Mr. E. F. B. Middleton presented Mr. Young with a golf bag, a camera
and a cheque on behalf of his friends.
Mr. Middleton recalled how Mr. Young started his career at Quayside
branch, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1917 and then, after a short stay at Low
Fell, spent fourteen years at Gateshead branch, returning again to Low Fell.
There he remained, except for two years at Harrogate during the war, until he
became Manager of Felling branch in 1951 and subsequently of Benwell branch
in 1957. Mr. Young thanked his colleagues
and said that their gifts would be used to good purpose. Recalling some of
the old days, he contrasted the arduous 'pen-pushing' with the streamlined
electronic devices which were now a feature of banking. A bouquet was then presented to Mrs. Young by Miss Alwin
Andrews, and the many friends present drank a toast to the health and
happiness of Mr. and Mrs. Young. Mr. Young's
enthusiasm for amateur dramatics, his keenness for golf, and Mrs. Young's
fondness for gardening will, we hope, keep them both busy for many years to
come.
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