11-76-70 Shirley

The Midland District of Martins Bank has been slowly expanding ever since the mid 1930s, and early in 1960 the portfolio of local Branches is joined by Shirley. The branch is faced with marble in a variety of shades, and has a modern glass frontage, a night safe, and carved signage.

Our feature is the visit to Branch, notlong after it opens, by Martins Bank magazine, and in the article below, expect the usual jokes about “Shirley” as if the town were a person of that name, and look out too for the use of the word “gay” with its original meaning – although what the word is used to describe could easily fit comfortably with the modern meaning as well!

1960 02 MBM.jpg Shirley has for some time been the subject of light-hearted badinage between ourselves and Midland District Office. "When are you going to see Shirley?" they would enquire. "Have you inspected Shirley yet?" we would counter.

When they said "We shall be curious to know what you think of Shirley's shop front" we decided to lose no more time in making the acquaintance of the newest acquisition of the Midland District.

We visited the branch on a warm April day, the 7th to be exact, when all the roundabouts on the Stratford road were gay with massed daffodils.

In Service: 28 January 1960 until 23 June 1970

Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030-2635

On the map Shirley looks as if it is a separate township, but although it is just outside the boundary of the City of Birmingham, there is no break in the line of buildings past which one has motored all the way from the City Centre.There is a difference, however, for here the roads are wider and the grass is greener and more space is devoted to proper planning. It looks like an overspill town, and everything seems fresh and new. We had heard a lot about this branch with its armour plate glass window and doors which occupy the whole of the frontage, so that anyone at the counter is visible from the street.

Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030-2635

Well, you have to see it to appreciate it, and we do not fear contradiction when we say that it is the most attractive bank building for miles around. Its setting is just right, its good taste is impeccable and it makes all the nearby conventional bank buildings look very ordinary by comparison. The only criticism, to the effect that customers would not like to be seen for security reasons making heavy cash withdrawals, can quite easily be dealt with by the use of a little imagination. Inside, the branch is even more attractive. The counter is of light grained oak and the front is panelled in blue leather. Decoration throughout is contemporary and the brightly upholstered easy chairs and striking curtains give a homely and welcoming impression on entering. As for the Manager's room and staff rooms, the staff is extremely fortunate to have such a branch to work in. It is not hard to feel pride in a bank which is so obviously go-ahead in its outlook. Shirley is quite an attractive residential area and quite a number of members of Midland District Office have made their homes there.

Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030-2635

1960 Shirley Staff MBM-Su60P36.jpg The Midland District, so long managed by exiles, is now beginning to breed its own race of managers and the Manager of Shirley branch, Mr. K. R. Chance, has a big advantage in this respect, having been born and bred in the district, and having many contacts to start with. He entered the Bank in 1936 and has served at Birmingham City Office and at Markets branch. He also served with H.M. Forces from 1940-1946. He was appointed Pro Manager at Markets branch in 1954. Incidentally, he met his wife whilst serving at Colmore Row She was on the staff of the Bank for ten years before her marriage. Second in command is Mr. F. Hartley, a Manchester District man whose previous service embrace Accrington, Haslingden and Bolton. He migrated. to Birmingham, at Midland District Office, in 1954. The following year he went on Relief for a time and then to Birmingham City Office, where he remained until the branch was opened in Shirley. Mr. K. D. Mooney has only recently entered the Bank and is stationed at Shirley as a Midland District Office trainee. The female staff is represented by Miss V. Coakley who entered the Bank in 1959 and came to Shirley from West Bromwich.

The CHEEK of it all!

This might be the only instance we have found of Martins Bank NOT going to extremes to be helpful. The Birmingham Post of 18 January 1967 tells the sorry saga of two girls who needed to cash cheques urgently, only to be told that there was no money in the building, and to return the next day to try again!

Further right are two of the advertisements taken out in 1960 to announce the opening of Shirley Branch, from the Barclays collection.