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In the
extract further down this page from “Martins Bank Branches in Sussex” (A.F.
Hill 1984, pictured below), we have a glimpse of life at this time in the
town. Following the evacuation of thouands of people, the Branch keeps
going through thick and thin – taking on the work of a nearby office which
has to close for the duration of the war, and coping valiantly with the
unexpected. We start with a potted
history of 23 Seaside Branch using Newspaper copy and advertisements, which
were placed by Martins Bank in the local press …
Eastbourne from start to
“Terminus”
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On 5 May 1937, the
Eastbourne Gazette announces the impending arrival of Martins Bank Limited…
Image
© Northcliffe Media Limited Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY
BOARD.
Image
reproduced with kind permission
of The British Newspaper Archive
Our re-mastered
advertisements start with a generic campaign for “Every Banking Service”
from early 1940. Later that same
year the temporary closure of Bexhill Branch brings more publicity for 23
Seaside.
Finally in 1958 the Bank
moves back into rebuilt offices at Terminus Road, have once again used the premises
in Seaside Road to maintain service to customers during the branch
alterations.
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Image © Martins Bank Archive Collection
Advertisement Re-mastered 2018
Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections
Advertisement Re-mastered 2018
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Image © Martins Bank Archive Collection
Advertisement Re-mastered 2018
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Danger: U X B…
  {“Our
representation in Eastbourne was first based at 23 Seaside Road (a former
Barclays sub-branch) where Mr W H Kingham and his staff of three opened the
office in May 1937. Business was
very slow in the first few years, but was given a boost by the closure of
Bexhill Branch in December 1940, when that office was closed for the
duration of the war and the business transferred to Eastbourne. ..Another
factor that restricted growth in the early years of the war was that the
population of Eastbourne fell to approximately 15000 persons soon after the
fall of France, with all non essential persons being evacuated. During the
early part of the war, Eastbourne was subjected to numerous hit and run air
raids by German aircraft and although the Branch and staff suffered no
casualities, on one occasion an unexploded bomb fell within 20 yards of the
Bank and the staff were evacuated from the building for a fortnight. During that time business was conducted
from the customers waiting room at National Provincial Bank in Terminus
Road, Nat. Pro. providing a cashing and clearing service, with the days
work being held in a suitcase until the all clear was given to return to
the office and bring the Ledgers up to date. Mr Murray appointed to the office in September 1939, coping with the
upheaval of wartime and the expansion of the peace. Martins’ spread
of business in the town was largely private, with a business section made
up of a good portion of hotel and guest house trade, together with allied
trades. In 1946 the Bank bought 130 Terminus Road and occupied
part of the premises; the other half being occupied by Geo Brown
Gentlemens' Outfitters. The Branch
outgrew its accommodation and in 1957 moved back to 23 Seaside Road whilst
the whole of Terminus Road was rebuilt, returning there in 1958”}.
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