11-29-00 Newbiggin by the Sea 86 Front Street

In July 1966, Martins Bank moves its Newbiggin by the Sea Branch over the road from 67 Front Street to newer premises at 86 Front Street. As we shall see below, the new premises come in for praise from an unexpected quarter.

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections

Advertisement remastered 2018

In Service: 25 July 1966 until 29 October 1999

Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030/1970

By all accounts, as a village Newbiggin-by-the-Sea doesn’t really appear to have much going for it. At least that is the opinion of a local newspaper columnist. However, his views are changed, somewhat surprisingly it would seem, by the addition of a new look branch of Martins Bank…

A “yank” - from a bank?

1969 01 Newcastle Evening Chronicle’s columnist, Eldon, has been suggesting, as he puts it, ‘pat on the back’ awards for new buildings that give the North East a face lift. One candidate for such an award is our new premises at Newbiggin-by-the-sea. ‘A miserable, depressing little village, the new bank really yanks it back to life’, reads the commendation!