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 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.
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…
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In Service: 6 July 1967 until 30 September 1992
Image
© Barclays Ref 0030-2951
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 Many 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’.
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Image © Barclays Ref 0030-2951
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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.
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Images © Barclays Ref 0030-2951
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