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This is the kind of
nostalgic image we love – providing a small glimpse into the way the streets
around the branches of Martins Bank looked at a particular point in time and
helping us to imagine how they have changed down the years. South Shields Westoe is a sub-branch to
South Shields King Street and opens in 1927.
During World War II it is
closed in 1942 and is reopened in 1947.
As explained in our MARTINS AT WAR features,
staffing the Bank’s Branches with so many away at war is difficult, and
despite having an army of capable lady managers and clerks in charge, there
are still not enough to keep every
branch open. |
In Service: 9 August
1927 until 31 December 1971
Image
© Barclays Ref 0030/3176 |
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Looking at the opening hours
we have on record for the 1960s, it looks as though the number of staff at
Westoe may have comprised only two clerks or even one plus a guard, as the
branch closes for a full hour at lunchtime.
This may well be to assist with the transport of work to be processed
at the main branch. Westoe is taken
over by Barclays in 1969, but only lasts another year or two before they
decide to close it in 1971. In another
remark that is definitely “of its time” Martins Bank Magazine reports that Mr
J A Sutherland – the very first Clerk in Charge at Westoe, who can be seen in
our staff gallery below - is “affectionately known as Darkie”…
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