11-29-00 Ashington

The Bank’s Branch at Ashington is one of the first to be constructed and opened following the creation, in 1928, of the modern-day Martins Bank. No.9 Station Road, is converted from shop premises into a handsome looking Branch in 1929 and opened early January 1930. The original Ashington branch was opened in September 1892 by the North Eastern Banking Company, in the Market Place, from where business was transacted for some thirty-eight years before being moved.

In Service: January 1930 until 16 July 2021

All Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0033/0029

The directors of Martins Bank felt that the older branch was not only unsuitable for use as a bank, but also too far away from the footfall of business in the town, and that sealed the fate of the Market place premises. The amalgamation of the North Eastern Bank with the Bank of Liverpool, provided Martins Bank with a comprehensive coverage of the North East. When Martins Bank Magazine visits Ashington and several other North Eastern outlets for its Autmn 1965 edition, the article is produced under the title of “As and Bs in Northumberland”. As a result, very little detail is given about any of the branches visited, apart from a staff group photo and a sentence or two of detail!

1965 03 MBM.jpg Ashington is a true colliery town, but with a fine roomy branch, and a business dominated by coal and light industry. Even in this bustling community one senses that the sea and the country are close enough to imbue the place and the inhabitants with a breezy resilience often lacking in the more cooped-up towns.

Standing – J Hall

R B Cox (Pro Manager)

R Luke

D C Smith

Miss P Nelson

Miss P K Surtees

Miss H Mossman

Seated – Miss A Rickeard

G T Straughan (Manager)

Mrs J Marshall

Mrs D Nesbit



*Mr R Goldie* *On the Staff* *1903 to 1914*	*Mr T A Wedderburn* *Joined the Bank Here* *1918 to 1920*	*Mr S Brown* *Joined here 1919-33* *Manager 1938-50*	*Mr A Galley* *On the Staff* *1941 to 1942*	*Mr D J Rutter* *On the Staff* *1941 to 1946*	*Mr P D Hoyle* *Joined the Bank Here* *1942 to 1943*



*Mr T B Todd* *Joined the Bank Here* *1950 to 1951*	*Mr M B Bruce* *Joined the Bank Here* *1956 to 1958*	*Mr R W MacKenzie* *Pro Manager* *1956 to 1958*	*Mr G T Straughan* *On the Staff 1958-60* *Manager 1964 onwards*	*Mr R Dawson* *Manager* *1958 to 1964*	*Mr W McCullagh* *Pro Manager* *1960 to 1962*



*Mr R B Cox* *Pro Manager* *1962 to 1965*	*Mr J K Lindsay* *Pro Manager* *1965*	*Mr A A Ashcroft* *Pro Manager* *1969*