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Add to this an abattoir, a hospital, NINE universities and
many, many cattle markets. The latter are housed in a variety of buildings,
from tin or wooden shacks and garden sheds to plush well appointed or
purpose-built premises, in modern surroundings. |
In Service: 1963 until 1969
Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030/0793 |
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In the North of England, cattle markets are known usually but not
exclusively as Auction Marts. Some
have been open for decades, passed down to Martins through amalgamation with
other banks. In the 1960s, however,
there is a real push to increase the number of these branches with an almost
breathtaking SIXTEEN being opened in
the eleven years between 1957 and 1968.
These are located at Amble, Banbury, Darlington, Exeter, Gloucester,
Kendal, Lancaster, Leek, Northampton, Norwich, Otley-Wharfedale, Salisbury,
Shrewsbury, Taunton, Tyneside and Ulverston. Of these, NINE, including
Darlington are closed between 1967 and 1969, as the effects of the merger
with Barclays begin to be felt. Duplication of branches does not always mean
that a Martins branch will be closed in favour of a Barclays one, and by the
end of 1969, twenty-two Barclays sites are closed in favour of a nearby Martins
office being better situated for business.
Darlington Cattle Market sub-branch was opened in the same year that a
certain “Time Lord” first appeared on our TV screens – come to think of it,
the splendidly quirky Branch ‘building’ looks distinctly larger on the INSIDE! It comes
complete both with a counter area and, miraculously, a private interview
space. It is amazing the extremes that Martins Bank goes to in order to be helpful,
but here, you can’t help but wonder where the queue starts and ends… Your
memories of working here, or using this branch as a customer would be most
welcome at the usual address: gutinfo@btinternet.com
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Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030-0793 |
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