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Martins Bank 1928+

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Martins Bank’s branch at 88 Wigmore Street is on the face of it, a lovely old corner building, with a reassuring stone façade. Quiet, and unassuming, it transacts the banking business of customers in the area from 1930 onwards. By 1968 however, the work of a number of architects has been making itself known, and Martins decides to modernise – and how! A move across the road to 95 Wigmore Street heralds a building so new, it defies description. This is the decade that first brought us the James Bond films, and Ernö Goldfinger (yes, REALLY) is commissioned to do away with the old and bring in only the newest of the new.

In Service: 1930 until 11 September 1968 (Moved to 95 Wigmore Street)

1953 October London 88 Wigmore Street Exterior Geoff Taylor.jpg

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections - Geoff Taylor

Text

Description automatically generated with medium confidenceGoldfinger is well known as one of the Brutalist architects, and for even trying out life in his own buildings having famously lived at the top of a block of flats! So what of the new Branch? You can see it – in its full “glory” – on our page for 95 WIGMORE STREET.

Sadly, the days of beautiful corner aspect branches with familiar and reassuringly fine stonework are numbered. This is why our main image above, from Geoff Taylor’s collection is all the more important – it shows a way of life that vanished overnight at the end of the 1960s.

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Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections

Martins Bank Magazine doesn’t visit the old Branch, but in the winter 1960 Edition, there is this photograph of BBC Radio’s Wilfred Pickles and his wife Mabel, visiting 88 Wigmore Street. Mr Pickles is known for handing out the cash, but perhaps on this occasion the boot is on the other foot!

 

1938 to 1944 Mr J A Banks Manager MBM-Sp50P06.jpg

1939 to 1941 and 1953 to 1955 Mr RO Wells MBM-Sp64P06.jpg

1949 to 1950 Mr D H White  joined the bank here MBM-Wi68P08.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Mr H Dickman

Manager

1930 to 1931

Mr J A Banks

Manager

1938 to 1944

Mr R O Wells

On the Staff 1939 to 1941 and 1953 to 1955

Mr C C Richardes

Acting Manager

1944 to 1944

Mr A F Crowder

On the Staff

1947 to 1948

Mr D H White

Joined the Bank Here

1949 to 1950

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1951 to 1957 Mr A Irwin joined the bank here MBM-Au68P08.jpg

1953 to 1953  Mr F T Belcher joined the bank here MBM-Wi64P05.jpg

1956 to 1966 Mr E A Emerson joined here then Ltd Auth from 1964 MBM-Wi66P04.jpg

1961 to 1963 D M J  Harding Ltd Auth then Pro Manager MBM-Sp66P06.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Mr A Irwen

Joined the Bank Here

1951 to 1957

Mr F T Belcher

Joined the Bank Here

1953 to 1953

Mr B Graham

Joined the Bank Here

1956 to 1956

Mr E A Emmerson

Joined the Bank Here

1956 to 1966

Mr R H G Beatrip

Limited Authority

1959 to 1961

Mr D M J Harding

Limited Authority

1961 to 1963

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1961 to 1965 then from 1969 Mr P D Gash Assistant Manager MBM-Sp69P07.jpg

1962 to 1964 Mr P C Twitchin Pro Manager MBM-Au64P05.jpg

1965 to 1969 Mr N H Harvey Assistant Manager MBM-Wi65P03.jpg

1968 Mr C Askew Manager MBM-Wi68P07.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Mr P D Gash

On the Staff 1961-65

Asst Manager 1969

Mr P C Twitchin

Pro Manager

1962 to 1964

Mr D A Bradley

Pro Manager 1964

Asst Manager 1965

Mr N H Harvey

Assistant Manager

1965 to 1969

Mr J T Evans

Pro Manager

1966 to 1968

Mr C Askew TD

Manager

1968 Onwards

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1968 Mr PR Thorogood pro Manager MBM-Wi68P06.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Mr P R Thorogood

Pro Manager

1968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

Type:

Address:

Index Number and District:

Hours:

 

Telephone:

Services:

Manager:

11-43-90 London Wigmore Street

Full Branch

PO Box 4NT 88 Wigmore Street London W1

424 London

Mon to Fri 1000-1500

Saturday 0900-1130

01 935 2301/4

Night safe Installed

Mr C Askew TD Manager

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Wigmore Street is included in Martins’ London Account Number Allocation, where Branches due for automation are given “significant digits” to identify them at the London Computer Centre by account numbers issued. The Branch Customer Accounts will be identified by the significant digits 59.

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London Westminster

1930

11 September 1968

Opened by Martins Bank Limited

Closed and business moved to 95 Wigmore Street

London 95 Wigmore Street

 

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