11-75-80 Ulverston

The remains of a

banking empire…

At the time of the amalgamation of the Ulverston Bank (Messrs Petty and Postlethwaite) with the Kendal Bank in 1863, the volume of banking business undertaken at Ulverston is greater than at any other branch, even the much larger town of Barrow in Furness. This is due in part to the fact that Ulverston is at one time the most important town in Furness. Consequently, before Barrow has developed into a large regional town, the Ulverston Bank is established over a wide area, its business linked closely with shipping.

In Service: Pre 1863 until 21 January 2022

Image © Barclays Ref 0033-0561

The Ulverston bank proper, begins with founder Edmund Petty II, conducting business transactions with his family and friends at the turn of the nineteenth century. Banking had however begun in Ulverston in at least the mid 1700s, with mercers and traders attracted by the money to be made from trade with Liverpool. In the 1960s Martins’ Branch dominates County Square, and Ulverston’s modern day empire includes sub branches at Greenodd and Ulverston’s Auction Mart. The beauty of the branch has been retained, and even in the twenty-first century the need for bandit screens and computerised banking had to make proper allowance for the age and grandeur of the building. The photograph (right) shows Barclays’ own very modern looking Branch at 20 New Market Street, which was probably better situated to attract the footfall of customers in the local shopping streets. However, plans for the future, including the expansion of the business and the introduction of computer equipment into all Branches, means that Barclays has to choose the more commodious Martins premises over its own compact little Branch, and the business is moved to the Martins Building at County Square in December 1969. Sadly there are currently no interior views of Ulverston Branch, either under Martins or Barclays, and as ever, if you can help with images or memories of this or any of the 1000+ Branches of Martins Bank, please do get in touch with us at the usual address – gutinfo@btinternet.com.

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-3000

Image © Barclays Ref 0033-0561

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-3001

BARCLAYS BANK LIMITED

New Market Street (Closed 1969)

DISTRICT BANK LIMITED

2 Queen Street

MARTINS BANK LIMITED

County Square

MIDLAND BANK LIMITED

New Market Street



*Mr J M Read* *Joined the bank here* *1905*	*Mr J W Bargh* *Joined the bank here* *1912*	*Mr H Parker* *On the Staff* *1912 to 1913*	*Mr J H Ritchie* *Joined the bank here* *1917*	*Mr S F Lord* *Joined the bank here* *1921 to 1926*	*Mr J Moffat* *Joined the Bank Here* *1929 to 1929*



*Mr J L Alexander* *Staff Member* *1936 to 1939*	*Mr J N Edgar* *On the staff* *1941 to 1947*	*Mr H L Scholefield* *On the staff* *1945 to 1947*	*Mr D J Crellin* *Staff Member* *1947 to 1948*	*Mr H F Earnshaw* *Manager* *1961 to 1969*	*Miss J Clements* *Cashier* *1963*



*Miss M J Rigg* *Chief Cashier* *1964*	*Mr D A Knight* *Pro Manager* *1967*	*Mr J R Hullock* *Manager* *1969 onwards*