11-43-90 London 88 Wigmore Street

Martins Bank’s branch at 88 Wigmore Street is on the face of it, a lovely old corner building, with a reassuring stone façade. Quiet, and unassuming, it transacts the banking business of customers in the area from 1930 onwards. By 1968 however, the work of a number of architects has been making itself known, and Martins decides to modernise – and how! A move across the road to 95 Wigmore Street heralds a building so new, it defies description. This is the decade that first brought us the James Bond films, and Ernö Goldfinger (yes, REALLY) is commissioned to do away with the old and bring in only the newest of the new.

In Service: 1930 until 11 September 1968 (Moved to 95 Wigmore Street)

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections - Geoff Taylor

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Description automatically generated with medium confidence Goldfinger is well known as one of the Brutalist architects, and for even trying out life in his own buildings having famously lived at the top of a block of flats! So what of the new Branch? You can see it – in its full “glory” – on our page for 95 WIGMORE STREET.

Sadly, the days of beautiful corner aspect branches with familiar and reassuringly fine stonework are numbered. This is why our main image above, from Geoff Taylor’s collection is all the more important – it shows a way of life that vanished overnight at the end of the 1960s.

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections

Martins Bank Magazine doesn’t visit the old Branch, but in the winter 1960 Edition, there is this photograph of BBC Radio’s Wilfred Pickles and his wife Mabel, visiting 88 Wigmore Street. Mr Pickles is known for handing out the cash, but perhaps on this occasion the boot is on the other foot!



*Mr H Dickman* *Manager* *1930 to 1931*	*Mr J A Banks* *Manager* *1938 to 1944*	*Mr R O Wells* *On the Staff 1939 to 1941 and 1953 to 1955*	*Mr C C Richardes* *Acting Manager* *1944 to 1944*	*Mr A F Crowder* *On the Staff* *1947 to 1948*	*Mr D H White* *Joined the Bank Here* *1949 to 1950*



*Mr A Irwen* *Joined the Bank Here* *1951 to 1957*	*Mr F T Belcher* *Joined the Bank Here* *1953 to 1953*	*Mr B Graham* *Joined the Bank Here* *1956 to 1956*	*Mr E A Emmerson* *Joined the Bank Here* *1956 to 1966*	*Mr R H G Beatrip* *Limited Authority* *1959 to 1961*	*Mr D M J Harding* *Limited Authority* *1961 to 1963*



*Mr P D Gash* *On the Staff 1961-65* *Asst Manager 1969*	*Mr P C Twitchin* *Pro Manager* *1962 to 1964*	*Mr D A Bradley* *Pro Manager 1964* *Asst Manager 1965*	*Mr N H Harvey* *Assistant Manager* *1965 to 1969*	*Mr J T Evans* *Pro Manager* *1966 to 1968*	*Mr C Askew TD* *Manager* *1968 Onwards*



*Mr P R Thorogood* *Pro Manager* *1968*

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11-43-90 London Wigmore Street

Full Branch

PO Box 4NT 88 Wigmore Street London W1

424 London

Mon to Fri 1000-1500

Saturday 0900-1130

01 935 2301/4

Night safe Installed

Mr C Askew TD Manager

Wigmore Street is included in Martins’ London Account Number Allocation, where Branches due for automation are given “significant digits” to identify them at the London Computer Centre by account numbers issued. The Branch Customer Accounts will be identified by the significant digits 59.

London Westminster

1930

11 September 1968

Opened by Martins Bank Limited

Closed and business moved to 95 Wigmore Street

London 95 Wigmore Street