11-3 London 22 Fenchurch Street.htm

Martins Bank begins to reinforce its presence in London more or less from the word go, and between 1928 and the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, around twenty Branches are opened in the Capital. No 22 Fenchurch Street is a temporary office, opened in July 1937, moving to permanent premises at 114 FENCHURCH STREET the following year.

In Service: 15 July 1937 until 1938 when moved to 114 Fenchurch Street

Image © Barclays 1937

Image © BT 1937

Temporary Branches play a very important part in “claiming a stake” in a new area. There are many examples of Martins Bank opening for business only to move within a year or so to larger premises. This means that whilst a permanent Branch is being constructed or adapted for use, customers can get to know their new Martins Bank Manager and his staff. This is an effective form of a policy known in today’s world of customer service as “recruitment and retention”. We would not of course expect to find a photograph of this short-lived Branch of Martins Bank, but it is frustrating that a photo of its successor – a Branch that although knocked down and rebuilt is still open today – still eludes us…