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Martins Bank 1928+

Many in the mid to late sixties generation of Martins Bank’s new Branches and sub-Branches are built and/or opened because they will form part of a new development such as a shopping precinct, or in the case of Kew Bridge and Edgbaston for example, they are sited in newly constructed business or industrial premises. 

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Most of them look very very new, and whilst tastefully designed, they are nevertheless a significant departure from the bank buildings of the 1930s.   The sub-Branch at Wellswood certainly bucks this trend, by being located in almost as traditional and beautiful a building as its parent Branch at TORQUAY itself…

In Service: 6 July 1967 until 30 September 1992

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Image © Barclays Ref 0030-2951

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Text

Description automatically generated with low confidenceMany of the Bank’s South-Western District Branches are housed in handsome looking buildings, and Wellswood does not disappoint.  You can see further examples by visiting – BARNSTAPLE, CHELTENHAM MONTPELIER, ST HELIER, BATH, and BRISTOL CITY OFFICE are just a few worthy of mention in this context.  The opening of this sub-branch is advertised in the local press, with advertisements like this one, a restored copy from our collection. Although the Bank names this office Wellswood, the advertisement gives us only the first line of the address followed by ‘Torquay’.

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-2951

Whilst Wellswood is not self accounting, it does have night safe facilities and opens six days a week for full banking hours.  This part of Torquay must, therefore, provide good banking traffic from both traders and personal customers. The building also houses a decent sized interview area, which is most likely used for the Bank’s customers - by appointment - to see a visiting manager from the main Branch, or for the privacy of opening new accounts. Wellswood survives the 1969 merger with Barclays, and becomes one of their Branches for a further twenty-three years, the doors close for the final time in September 1992.

1967 Wellswood Interior 3 BGA Ref 30-2951.jpg

1967 Wellswood Interior 1 BGA Ref 30-2951.jpg

 

Images © Barclays Ref 0030-2951

 

LLOYDS BANK LIMITED

MARTINS BANK LIMITED

MIDLAND BANK LIMITED

 

Title:

Type:

Address:

Index Number and District:

Hours:

 

Telephone:

Services:

Manager:

11-58-80 Wellswood                              

Sub to 11-58-80 Torquay

37 Ilsham Road Wellswood Torquay Devon

151 South Western

Mon to Fri 1000-1500

Saturday 0900-1130

Torquay 27093

Nightsafe Installed

Mr A N L Broderick

 

Wellingborough

6 July 1967

15 December 1969

30 September 1992

Opened by Martins Bank Limited

Barclays Bank Limited 20-87-12 Torquay 59 Fleet Street

Closed

West Bromwich

 

M

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