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 It might be one of the last of Martins Bank’s
Branches to be opened, but it does last for several decades. In March 1969, the business of the Bank’s
Branch at 91 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET Newcastle upon Tyne is transferred to 7 Market
Street, and a year or so later is merged into Barclays.
Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections
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In 2001 Market Street merges
with Barclays 141 Haymarket, and closes. The image above is the closest we
can get to Martins’ original layout, and shows Market Street in the early
days of Barclays’ ownership in 1972.
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In Service: 24 March
1969 until 19 October 2001
Image © Barclays Ref
0030-2009
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 “Naturally I hope the siting of the office will
attract many new customers,” Mr. Cyril Robinson, the manager, said. “But
basically it will take over the business of our Northumberland Street branch
which will now close. The building is being sold because of the proposed
redevelopment of the area.”
Customers of the Northumberland Street branch will
find much more space —there are six cashier positions—and a very much more
modern office at Market Street. The
building’s original wall panelling has been kept, but a warmer, more intimate
atmosphere has been introduced by architects L. J. Couves and Partners with
a false ceiling containing acoustic units, recessed
lighting and decorative tungsten fittings. Royal
blue rubber has been used to cover the floor of the customers’ space, with
white panels set in before each of the cashier portions. The counter, topped
in teak and lino, is faced with stainless steel and the counter security
screens have stainless steel frames. Mr.
Robinson’s room, and that of his assistant, are fully carpeted. Wood and
melamine panelling to form a pleasing contrast to the teak furnishings.
Outside, the building is almost in its original
form apart from the ground floor facade which was redesigned 20 years ago to
harmonise with the architectural features of the remainder of the block.
“Altogether the sort of branch that makes a visit
to the bank a real pleasure”, Mr. Robinson added}.
In response to our appeal for
more information about Market Street Branch, Paul Thompson got in touch with
us from Australia to tell us about his time there:
 “I was
transferred in July 1968 to Northumberland Street (Newcastle city) branch, a
few months before it closed and moved to a new location at Market Street.
When it came to moving to Market Street we all had to come in at the weekend
and help shift everything. When it had all been put into the removal vans I
noticed that there was still a clock on the wall and mentioned it. “we're not
taking it, if you want it take it”, which I did and it is still ticking away
nicely, keeping perfect time on a wall at my house nearly 50 years later. I
remained at Market Street branch for about two and a half years. You have
asked for information about the branch. As it was nearly 50 years ago my
memory of names may not be accurate but Mr C S (Cyril) Robinson was the
manager and Mr M. Ramsdale was the assistant manager (I think his Christian
name was Mike). A funny incident happened while I was there with Mr Ramsdale,
his typist asked him could she abbreviate his title as it was long, so he
said OK. About one minute after taking all his letters into his room for
signing he came storming out, "what have you called me?" She had
abbreviated his title to Managers Ass”.
 Paul has also
provided us with a number of contemporary images of North Eastern District
Branches, and here, although we don’t have a period view of MARTINS at Market
Street, there is one of Barclays to compare with today’s incarnation - the
Theatre Royal Café…
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