11-79-02 Birmingham Hollloway Circus

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Holloway Circus is added to Martins Bank’s Birmingham portfolio of branches in July 1962, and six months later, Martins Bank Magazine arranges a full visit to the new branch.

The focus of the article is very much on the staff who have been assembled to run Holloway Circus in what at the time is in an area of Birmingham described by the Magazine as a miniature STALINGRAD(?)! Well, people do have their own opinions of course but whether or not the appearance of the Branch itself adds to this Soviet style landscape, we’ll leave you to be the judge! With the Cuban Missile Crisis barely put to bed, such remarks could possibly seem a little sensitive, we think.

We are delighted to be able to bring you high quality views of the original photographs used in this article, which have been kindly provided by Isobel Willis, from the estate of her late husband and first Manager of Holloway Circus Branch, Mr J F Willis.

Looking at the staff group image further down this page, it seems clear that Mr Willis was extremely proud of what was a really attractive, modern looking new branch to be put in charge of, and with a young staff to help him, the atmosphere will have been conducive to the Bank’s advertising campaigns that emphasise the friendly and understanding nature of its staff.

During Mr Willis’s time at Holloway Circus, the iconic advertisements featuring an array of zoo animals interacting with staff and customers were backed up by the strapline “Martins go to extremes to be helpful” – a sea change compared to a previously staid advertising policy. You can read more about this in our ADVERTISING feature pages, which compare decades from the 1920s to the 1960s.

In Service: Thursday 19 July 1962 until 12 December 1969

Branch Images © Martins Bank Archive Collections – Estate of J F Willis

Unless one is faint-hearted it is always encouraging to be first in the field. At Holloway Circus, Birmingham, our new branch is not only the first bank but one of the very few habitable offices in a landscape reminiscent of a miniature Stalingrad. While modern Birmingham is impressive, the scene where demolition and reconstruction overlap is disconcerting. 'A multi-storey garage will be going there. Or there', we were told, 'and so-and-so's have taken that and when this comes down all those will go there'. Mr. J. F. Willis, the Manager, with an air of one who himself is arranging these things,made it clear that, as steel, concrete and glass rise from the rubble in front of his branch, he will be there not only to watch over our interests but to extend them. It occurred to us that this was hardly the John Willis we remembered in Liverpool and later, in the quiet of his room in what must surely be one of our most handsome modern offices, our impression was confirmed. Still a bachelor, he has taken Birmingham to his heart and his many friends on Merseyside will be glad to know that he finds his present work more stimulating than anything he has previously tackled. After entering the bank at Ellesmere Port and serving in the Army he became secretary to Mr. G. O. Papworth (then Assistant General Manager, Administration) in 1946. . In this capacity he had the unusual experience of taking charge of the Magazine and the Bank's advertising for two weeks when all the staff were away on the first Continental holiday party in 1949. Subsequently he served in the former Branch Department, then on relief, and for a period was attached to Chief Overseas branch for special duties, returning to Liverpool District Office and Inspection Department before attaining his first signing authority at Old Swan branch in 1953. He went to Midland District Office as Visiting Inspector in April, 1960, and prior to receiving his present appointment, took charge of Wolverhampton branch for a few months.


Branch Images © Martins Bank Archive Collections – Estate of J F Willis

It is unusual to find a small branch where the two senior men have worked in double harness a short time before and the fact that Mr. Willis and Mr. M. V. Weare have been visiting inspectors might indicate that the standard at Holloway Circus would be beyond criticism. This casual observation brought forth the prompt reply that this is in fact so and, just in case anybody should gain the wrong impression, we would add that they have recently been inspected and their claim can be substantiated. Mr. Weare, while reflecting the confidence and enthusiasm of his manager, has plenty of his own. He started his banking in a hard school at Walsall branch and returned there after National Service, going to Midland District Office in 1959 and to Holloway Circus when it opened last July. His wife, formerly Miss J. A. D. Smith, of West Bromwich branch, is now cashiering at Walsall. Mr. M. K. Davies is a local boy who entered the Bank in October, 1961. He, with Mr. S. R. Jackson who came from the north-east to join the staff in October last, completes the male staff of the branch. Miss P. J. Franklin, who has been in the Bank since August, 1961, is the only lady at the branch and is an all-rounder who copes, as required, with the machining, typing and counter work. The office with its high glass front and doors is as bright as the people who staff it but, as the business increases and more people tend to reach the branch just after the doors have closed, how does one signify 'sorry, closed' or 'just a moment while I come round the counter' ? You cannot ignore a frantic caller who can see you as well as you can see him. How, indeed, do the visiting inspectors conceal their arrival? No doubt Mr. Willis and Mr. Weare have an answer for that.

A new Branch is born…

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections

Branch Images © Martins Bank Archive Collections – Estate of J F Willis



*Mr K R Chance* *Manager* *1962 to 1963*	Mr M V Weare *On the Staff* *1962 to 1965*	*Miss P J Franklin* *On the Staff* *1963*	Mr M K Davies *On the Staff* *1963*	*Mr S R Jackson* *On the Staff* *1963*	Mr J F Willis *Manager* *1963 to 1966*



Mr A Buckler *Manager* *1966 onwards*