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The North Eastern Banking Company opens its branch at 20 Fawcett Street Sunderland in 1889, some twenty-five years before the merger with the Bank of Liverpool and Martins that will see all of NEBC’s Branches becoming part of the modern day Martins Bank. Sunderland is home to a large number of Martins Branches. The main branch is at Fawcett Street, with sub branches at GRANGETOWN, HENDON and WASHINGTON. CHESTER ROAD is another full branch, as are MILLFIELD with a sub branch at PALLION, MONKWEARMOUTH with a sub branch at FULWELL, and SOUTHWICK with no sub branches. Of these ten branches, seven date back to the 1920s or before, and three are added in the 1960s in key business/shopping areas, to boost trade for the Bank. Four are inherited from the merger with the North Eastern Banking Company in 1914, three are opened by the Bank of Liverpool and Martins, and three by Martins Bank Limited. During 1964, Martins’ Branch at 20 Fawcett Street undergoes major renovations, and the business is transferred temporarily to no 56 Fawcett Street. On 22 February 1965, the branch is reopened to great local fanfare, with a full page feature in the local newpaper, the Sunderland Echo. We are grateful to the Echo for the images above, and for the article reproduced further down this page.

In Service: 2 January 1889 until 14 January 1983

Image © WARD PHILIPSON PHOTO MEMORIES – John A Moreels M.B.E

We are also indebted to Ward Philipson Photo Memories Archive for the external view of the newly rebuilt branch, and also the following image which shows the counter at Fawcett Street on the day it closed in 1963 to allow for the refurbishment of the Branch:

Before – functional but showing its age

Image © WARD PHILIPSON PHOTO MEMORIES – John A Moreels M.B.E

After – more modern, bright and friendly

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections

Images © Martins Bank Archive Collections

Advertisements restored and remastered

From originals - August 2021

February 1965

TOWN BANK ADDS “NEW LOOK” TO ITS ASSETS

Extensive alterations were recently completed at the main Sunderland office of Martins Bank Limited Fawcett Street and customers can now enjoy the benefits of banking in the modern manner. As more and more people are finding the advantages of using a cheque book, so Martins Bank is pursuing a. policy of expansion, modernization and development which extends from the use of computers to the rebuilding of branch offices. While the whole concept of banking is changing, Bank architecture is changing too. Although Martins Bank has a long tradition of 400 years of banking experience, the modern interior design of the Sunderland Branch is entirely up-to-date, while retaining the dignity which has always been associated with the Bank’s architecture.

BRIGHTER BANKING

The improved interior of the Sunderland branch is in line with the Bank's policy of modernization which is being pursued throughout the country. The interior has been completely redesigned. The ground floor has been altered and extended and the rear premises have been completely rebuilt. The front upper floors have been retained and strengthened but the front has been rebuilt with a steel-framed wall faced with Portland stone above the first floor, and with South African and Cornish de Lank granite facings to the ground floor. Anodised aluminium double unit glazed windows and armour-plate doors are fitted to the front and a canopy, the sides of which are illuminated, is provided over the entrance doors. The Bank's name, in illuminated built-up lettering, and its crest in coloured fibre-glass are attached to the deep granite fascia. The large banking hall on the ground floor has an extensive counter with modern facilities for the cashiers and other officials. There is a separate department for overseas business and securities, and a consultation room. The banking hall has a ceramic mosaic floor, and the walls are finished in Australian walnut, coloured P.V.C., and wallpaper. The ceiling throughout the ground floor is of acoustic tiling with recessed modular light fittings. The fittings are mostly polished light oak with contrasting polished Australian walnut. The management rooms have polished teak built-in cupboards and furniture, fitted carpets, painted or grass cloth covered walls, and suspended acoustic-tiled ceilings. The first floor houses a typist’s room, large machine room and store. The rear portion of this floor is occupied by staff rooms.

BANKING HISTORY SPANS 400 YEARS

In 1963 Martins celebrated the 400th anniversary of the founding of the business at the sign of the Grasshopper at 68 Lombard Street, the Bank's principal London Office. The grasshopper, adopted as the Bank's emblem, was part of the family crest of Sir Thomas Gresham, who started a goldsmith's business in 1563, a year before Shakespeare's birth. The link between the business of goldsmith and banker was a logical one. The goldsmith needed a strong chest in which to store his stock-in-trade, -and it followed that colleagues and business associates came to him with their own valuables for safe keeping. Eventually Gresham began to lend money at the statutory interest rate, and Built up his cash deposits by offering interest to the depositors. As financial adviser to Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I, he has the reputation of being the first English banker. The Grasshopper building and records were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, but the business survived. One of its first — and less reliable — customers was Charles II, who borrowed £300,000 and was unable to return it. Thomas Martin, who entered service at the Grasshopper in 1703, was probably the first to be exclusively a banker. From this time onwards, the Martins Family was continuously associated with the business. The Bank became a limited company in 1891, and was acquired by the Bank of Liverpool in 1918 and renamed the Bank of Liverpool and Martins The title was shortened to its present form ten years later.

BANKING 1965

Despite its background as one of the oldest banks in the country, Martins has been at the forefront of modern banking developments. It was the first bank in the country to demonstrate the use of a computer for keeping customers' accounts, and was one of the first pioneers in the use of machine systems for cheque sorting and clearing operations. The first Martins Drive-In Bank was opened in Leicester in 1959.

GUIDING THE BRANCH’S BUSINESS

MR A M ELLIOTT

Manager

The Manager of the Sunderland branch of Martins Bank is Mr A. M. Elliott. Born in Liverpool and educated at the Liverpool Institute High School, Mr Elliott entered banking at Liverpool's Aigburth branch and later worked in the Inspection Department at Head Office. Before becoming manager of the Sunderland branch in 1957, Mr Elliott had been a Pro Manager at Bristol, Manager at Speke and Hunts Cross branch in Liverpool, and Sub Manager at the important Heywoods Branch, Liverpool. Mr Elliott lives at Whitburn with his wife and four children. He is a member of the Sunderland Club and the Whitburn Golf Club, and hon. treasurer of Sunderland (New Estates) Church Fund and the local branch of the Church of England Children's Society. Since November 1964, the assistant manager of the Sunderland branch has been Mr G. D. Richardson, a native of South Shields.

MR G D RICHARDSON

Assistant Manager

Mr Richardson was educated at the South Shields High School and joined the Bank's East Boldon Branch in 1942. Between 1944 and 1947 he served in the R.A.F. and spent some of that time in Canada. He served at various branches and at the North Eastern District Office in Newcastle before becoming clerkincharge at a Gateshead branch and was then appointed promanager at the main Gateshead office. In 1961 he became an inspector at Liverpool District Office. Mr Richardson now lives in Cleadon with his wife and two children. He is treasurer of the Sunderland and Durham Centre of the Institute of Bankers and of the Grindon and Havelock Hospitals League of Friends.

Article Text and black and white images © Sunderland Echo 1965.

Forty-Five years of service…

In our feature below, Mr R S Clark retires as Pro Manager of Sunderland Fawcett Street after an amazing forty-five years of service to the Bank. These really are the days when “a job for life” is the norm!

After nearly 45 years' service, Mr. R. S. Clark, Pro Manager of Sunderland branch, retired on January 31st. Over forty of his present and former colleagues assembled to bid him farewell, including the managers of six neighbouring branches. Mr. Mason, Manager of Sunderland branch, in making a presentation, expressed the wishes of all present for a long and happy retirement. Many messages of goodwill were received also from customers of the Bank. Mrs. Clark was presented with a handbag and Miss Norah Smith, senior lady clerk, handed her a bouquet. Mr. Clark commenced his banking career in 1905 at Westgate Road branch, Newcastle upon Tyne. During the first World War he served in the Machine Gun Corps and from 1928 to 1935 was on the North-Eastern District Relief Staff before being appointed Pro Manager and Chief Cashier at Sunderland branch in 1935.

ANOTHER “FIRST” for Martins Bank!

Known for a notable number of FIRSTS, Martins Bank becomes the first bank to adapt its telephone answering equipment for use by a blind telephonist, when its rebuilt branch at 20 Fawcett Street Sunderland re-opens on 22 February 1965. Martins Bank Magazine publishes the following short piece in its “News from the Districts” section…

PABX at Sunderland.

Sunderland branch occupied their modernised premises on February 22nd and in the new office is a PABX No 1 Telephone Installation, specially adapted for use by a blind operator, Mr J. Carr. The Blind Persons Resettlement Officer of the local Ministry of Labour office says that so far as he is aware this is the first installation in this country to be so adapted. Mr Carr, who received two half-days' instruction in the new equipment, is fully confident that he can manage it.

Mr A E Mennear Joined the Bank Here 1913 to 1927	Mr G R Tarn On the Staff 1919	Mr G C Dresser Assistant Manager 1932 to 1934	Mr R S Clark Pro Manager and Chief Cashier 1935 to 1950	Mr G H Bell Manager 1936 to 1944	Mr M A Charlton Joined the Bank Here 1939 to 1940
Mr J W Bellerby Joined the Bank Here 1940 to 1940	Mr H Smurthwaite Pro Manager 1944 to 1947	Mr R Russell Staff 1946 to 1946 Accountant 1952-54	Mr W J Richardson Assistant Manager 1947 to 1950	Mr V Young On the Staff 1947 to 1955	Mr K Young Assistant Manager 1950 to 1952
Mr Ben Trewhitt Pro Manager 1950 to 1957	Mr E H Jackson Pro Manager 1951 to 1952	Mr A M Parr Staff 1952 to 1961 Pro Manager 1961-62	Mr A Cheesebrough On the Staff 1955 to 1958	Mr A M Elliott Manager 1957 onwards	Mr A McDonald On the Staff 1958 to 1961
Mr H W Warwick Assistant Manager 1958 to 1964	Mr W Hunter Pro Manager 1959 to 1961	Mr T Shield Pro Manager 1962 to 1966	Mr G D Richardson Assistant Manager 1964 to 1966	Mr L W Alexander Assistant Manager 1965 to 1967	Mr R W Read Pro Manager 1966
Miss Valerie Fenwick Accounts 1966	Mr C D Scurr Assistant Manager 1967	Mr M Cushing Pro Manager 1967

	BARCLAYS BANK LIMITED Fawcett Street Monkwearmouth Grangetown Pallion		DISTRICT BANK LIMITED 49 John Street		LLOYDS BANK LIMITED Fawcett Street Chester Road Fulwell Maritime Terrace Monkwearmouth Ryhope Road
	MARTINS BANK LIMITED 20 Fawcett Street Chester Road Fulwell Grangetown Millfield Monkwearmouth Southwick		MIDLAND BANK LIMITED 14 Fawcett Street Grangetown Pallion		NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK High Street West Millfield Vine Place Fulwell and Seaburn
	UNITED DOMINIONS TRUST 18a John Street		WESTMINSTER BANK LIMITED 52 Fawcett Street

Title: Type: Address: Index Number and District: Hours: Telephone: Services: Manager:

11-40-80 Sunderland Full Branch PO Box 42 20 Fawcett Street Sunderland County Durham 361 North Eastern Mon to Fri 1000-1500 Saturday 0900-1130 Sunderland 70681/4 Nightsafe Installed Mr A M Elliott Manager

	11-40-80 Grangetown
	11-40-80 Hendon
	11-02-90 Washington

Stratford-upon-Avon

2 January 1889 7 August 1914 18 December 1918 3 January 1928 15 June 1963 22 February 1965 15 December 1969 14 January 1983

Opened by North Eastern Banking Company Bank of Liverpool Bank of Liverpool and Martins Limited Martins Bank Limited Closed and moved temporarily to 56 Fawcett Street Re-opened at 20 Fawcett Street Barclays Bank Limited 20-83-70 Sunderland 20 Fawcett Street Closed and business transferred to Barclays 53 Fawcett Street

Sunderland 56 Fawcett Street

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