11-48-00 Birstall

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Martins Bank’s sub-branch at Birstall is an original branch of The West Riding Union Bank, and has been open since at least 1881 when that bank is first registered as a limited company. At this time Birstall is noted as a full branch, but by 1901 it is recorded as a sub-Branch to Batley, which is how it remains into the 1960s.

The merger in 1902 of the West Riding Union Bank with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank is hugely significant, as it cements the future coverage of Martins Bank into just about every major town and village across the whole of the North of England. By 1968 opening hours at Birstall are a respectable twenty-one per week spread over six days, which is enough to provide a good basic banking service for local businesses.

In Service: By 1881 until 7 April 2000

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-0262

2010 Nightsafe Robert Dagnall A quick word here, in defence of the humble night safe, the innocuous metal square that features on the front of so many Martins Bank Branches…

This is a piece of banking furniture, indeed a piece of advanced technology that should not be underestimated — a kind of reverse cash machine of its day, that allows the deposit of cash and other items at any time of the day or night. We think you will agree that this is not bad for a totally non-electrical device! Birstall Branch survives the merger with Barclays, and makes it (just) into the twenty-first century, closing its doors for the final time in April 2000.