| 
   
    | 
 
 
  In 1958
    Martins Bank moves from its original Hunts Cross Branch in Woodend Road, to
    these brand-new premises in Hillfoot Avenue from where a banking service
    was transacted until April 2020. There was little fanfare for the new
    branch, just a few short lines in Martins Bank Magazine, accompanied by
    this photograph of the new building to illustrate its size.  The article does not show the images of
    the interior (see below) which are photographed for the Bank when the new
    Branch is first up and running.
 | In Service: 10 February 1958 until
    17 April 2020   
 
 Image ©
    Martins Bank Archive Collections 
 |  
    | We can however
    see the “latest method of lighting” mentioned in the article, which
    actually doesn’t look too much out of place today! Our retirement feature,
    concerns Mr Long, who is Manager first of Hunts Cross, then of Speke
    and Hunts Cross Branches for fourteen years, and hangs up his Bank tie for
    the last time at the end of April 1969… 
  The new premises of our Speke
    and Hunts Cross branch were opened on 10th February. The new branch is four
    times the size of the old one. The front is in rustic brickwork with
    Stancliffe stone embellishments. Inside, the fittings are in African walnut
    and the latest method of lighting has been used, whereby large areas of the
    ceiling itself are illuminated, there being complete freedom from glare.
 | 
 |  
    | Interior
    Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030-1683 
 |  
    | 
 | 
 |  
    | 
  after
    nearly 44
    years' service, including five with H.M. Forces and the last fourteen  as Manager at Speke &
    Hunts Cross, Ron Lang retired on April 30. To mark the occasion, he and his
    wife entertained a goodly number of colleagues past and present, together
    with several customers, at the nearby Hunts Cross Hotel. Some had travelled
    considerable distances to be present and one of these was Mr Brayshaw, the
    retired manager of Wolverhampton branch, under whom Mr Lang had served
    before his appointment at Speke & Hunts Cross. Opening the proceedings
    Mr D. J. Scott (Pro Manager) thanked Mr Lang on behalf of the present staff
    for his unfailing kindness and consideration. In the absence of Mr Buchanan,
    Mr W. O. Davies presented a cheque which he understood would be used to
    purchase a typewriter. This prompted the suggestion that, thus equipped, Mr
    Lang would make a useful member of the relief staff. Mr Davies thanked him
    for all he had done in the service of the Bank and in particular for the
    unassuming and efficient way he had promoted the Bank's business throughout
    his term of office. Mrs Lang was obviously delighted with a bouquet
    presented by Miss Linda Harding. Shortly before his retirement Mr Lang had
    been entertained to lunch at Head Office by Mr Maxwell and at District
    Office as Mr Buchanan's guest.
 |  
    |  |  |  |  |