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Martins Bank opens its Branch at Bedford
on 16 June 1966, when World Cup fever hasn’t quite yet gripped the hosts England,
who just over a month or so later would lift the trophy in triumph. Bedford will be Martins’ second branch in
the county of Bedfordshire, a third planned to be opened in Ampthill in 1969
is never opened, as Barclays already has a branch there. Bedford has a
stylish modern-looking frontage and in keeping with the Bank’s new look for
the 1960s, everywhere is bright, light, airy and cheerful. |
In Service: 16 June 1966 until 12 November 1971 Image © Barclays Ref 0030-0144 |
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However, even the most straightforward of
fittings can cause an architectural problem or two, as we learn in this
article from Martins Bank Magazine’s Autumn 1966 edition… |
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The teak counter shows up well against the grey and white
of granite and painted walls and the chairs in the public space are upholstered
in deep purple. The impression of modern businesslike efficiency extends
through the interview room, manager's room, machine room and all the usual
offices, and there is nothing off-putting about it for it is very much in
keeping with Bedford itself. At the
end of June the town was celebrating with a pageant the 800th year of its
charter granted by Henry II. Such an
event might be expected to encourage ancestor worship of the sloppier type,
but the town authorities are not given to looking back over their
shoulders. The pageant was
picturesque, factual and extremely well produced, and the Borough Librarian
in his magazine Bedford Town Crier succeeded
in portraying the town and its history in nine highly entertaining
pages. We wish we had space to quote
more than “Woolworths is practically an ancient monument by present day
Bedford standards”, but this at least explains why our new branch suits the
town so well. Bedford is growing naturally and quickly for it is little more
than half an hour from St Pancras. Manufacturing interests range from
machinery to chocolates, and the labour force includes an increasingly high
proportion of Pakistanis and Jamaicans.
“There's no
discouragement, Shall make him
once relent, His first
avowed intent, To be a
Pilgrim…”
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Premises for
a sub branch at AMPTHILL were purchased in 1969, but
this office was never opened. The
building - at 8 Church Street Ampthill - was sold by Barclays to the National
Westminster Bank in 1972.
M |