11-94-60 Penwortham

By 1963, Martins’ experimental policy of opening mobile or permanent Branches on housing estates, or in small townships leads to a number of small outlets being sited on the developing edges of major towns and cities (See also ERNESETTLE). The Bank is also undergoing a major expansion at this point.

The town of Penwortham lies on the south bank of the river Ribble. It is conveniently placed for access to the town of Preston via a number of major roads and a river crossing. Martins Bank’s Penwortham Branch opens in 1963 but closes in the summer of 1968 – another victim of “Branch duplication”

In Service: 1963 until July 1968

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-2256

Barclays looks at the performance and location of Martins and Barclays Branches in same town or city, deciding which of them to keep open. This process involves examining which office is best placed for attracting custom, and also which can cope with future expansion without the need to rebuild or relocate. At Penwortham there is six day opening and the provision of a nightsafe by Martins, which suggests use of the Branch by local traders, and this may well have been a busy area for local banks. On this occasion however, Barclays at No 73 Liverpool Road wins out over Martins at No 38a.