11-758 Sowerby Bridge 7 Town Hall Street

The Halifax Commercial Bank opens its Branch at 7 Town Hall Street, Sowerby Bridge in 1910 – some ten years before amalgamating with the Bank of Liverpool and Martins.

– Dave Baldwin

When Martins Bank Limited is created in 1928 through the merger of the Lancashire with Yorkshire Bank with the Bank of Liverpool and Martins, a second Sowerby Bridge Branch – at 21 town Hall Street – is inherited from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank.

In Service: 1910 until 1930

Image © Barclays 1930

Image © BT 1929

By 1930 it is clear that two branches is one too many for the town, and Martins takes the decision to close its business at 7 Town Hall Street, preferring the larger Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank premises at No 21. We are grateful to Dave Baldwin for the contemporary views of 7 Town Hall Street, which include a close up of the still magnificently preserves crest of the Halifax Commercial Banking Company, above the door.