A number of North Eastern Branches receive long awaited refurbishment or rebuilding in 1964. Tyne Dock is one of the “new branches for old”, and the optimism of early 1960s design shows through. Martins Bank Magazine calls in on its whistle-stop tour of North Eastern Branches… We visited Tyne Dock where, as at WINGROVE, temporary premises were available during the alterations and where Mr J Shotton, though nearing retirement, is now enjoying branch management in surroundings which must have been worth waiting for. His own room and the main office are striking and spacious; upstairs, in addition to a Bank flat, there is a machine room in which one could swing innumerable cats. if the new office does not blend with its surroundings, it is because these have not changed for half a century or more, but it is hoped that they will one day come to blend with the branch and give the district a much needed healthier look. Tyne Dock Branch before demolition and rebuilding Image: Martins Bank Archive Ready for the surroundings to blend with it – our new branch is completed Image: Martins Bank Archive
The work of forming new branches from old presents its special problems. Where an existing branch is being altered but must continue to function on the site, it is necessary for the work to be staged. This must take into account the importance of providing reasonable banking and staff facilities throughout the whole period of the work. As the most convenient time for a change in stage to be carried out is at weekends, the contractor very often has to work round the clock so that the Bank can be ready for business on Monday morning.					NEW BRANCHES FOR OLD by D D J Silcock, Staff Architect.
The staging of work is mostly felt by the managers and staff who, unlike the customers, are ‘with it’ all the time, and the tolerance and co-operation shown on these occasions are greatly appreciated. It sometimes happens that even when structural work is underway, unexpected forms of construction present unforeseen problems and delays. Party walls may be sub-standard and the remedy often proves expensive in time and cost.
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Dark and forbidding - the interior of the original building. Images: Martins Bank Archive
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There have been cases where work on adjacent sites has had adverse effects on the Bank’s own work, such as basement flooding. While weather can often interfere with the work, the progress of a contract is always to some extent controlled by the ability of specialists to meet the agreed delivery dates. Some items require a considerable time from order to delivery in site, and when one remembers that very often the necessary dimensions are not available until the main structure is in position, it is easy to see that sometimes delays are very difficult to prevent.
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Bright and welcoming, the interior of the new branch Image: Martins Bank Archive
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The story is not yet complete, for there will inevitably be teething troubles – a door or a drawer which will not close properly; a heating system which suddenly develops a jinx and tries to roast everybody, but these matters can be rectified quickly. Customers give their own critical analysis, usually of the design, and the staff, thankful to be free from dust and grit, add their opinions – a wall paper is changed. but that is another story.
Mr H Johnston Manager 1909 to 1922	Mr H M Gibson Manager 1925 to 1930			Mr T Mavin Manager 1931 to 1954		Mr A Cuthbert On the Staff 1947 to 1947
Mr J Shotton Manager 1954 to 1966	Mr G T Straughan On the Staff 1956 to 1958			Miss B Poulter On the Staff 1964		Miss J Patterson On the Staff 1964
Miss V I Croft On the Staff 1964	Miss W Harris On the Staff 1964			Mr A C Nicholson On the Staff 1964		Mr A E Spain On the Staff 1964
Mr M B Williams On the Staff 1964	Mr R W Read On the Staff 1964			Mr S Cross On the Staff 1964		Mr G D Richardson Manager 1966 onwards
Mr M Cushing Pro Manager 1966 to 1967
Title:		11-74-80 South Shields Tyne Dock
Type:		Full Branch
Address:		17 Boldon Lane Tyne Dock South Shields County Durham
Hours:		Mon to Fri 1000-1500
		Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:		South Shields 60154
Services:		Nightsafe Installed
Manager:		Mr G D Richardson Manager
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