Branch Bank of the Liverpool Bank Bowness Windermere

Opened 27 June 1893 as the Bank of Liverpool. Later Martin's Bank, Barclay's Bank

THE NEW BANK AT BOWNESS. The new premises of the Bank of Liverpool (Messrs Wakefield, Crewdson Co's branch) were opened yesterday week. It will perhaps be of interest to our readers if we give a description of the building and a brief history of the career of the branch since it was first instituted in Bowness. It is now some 30 years—to be precise 28.½ years— ago since the branch was originally opened as an agency in the shop of the late Mr J. Atkinson, Draper, who acted as manager for upwards of 20 years. It was at his retiring and disposing of the drapery business to Mr Edgar, removed to the late premises near Mr Nichol's, and his son—Mr J. W. Atkinson—being appointed manager, carried it on there for 10 years. As business increased, however, it was found that the premises were too small to meet the growing requirements of the bank, and it was resolved to build a totally new structure. The site selected was one on which stood a building which had been in the occupation of an old Bowness family—the Greggs—for a great number of years, and more recently of Mr Kirkbride, Greengrocer. In the spring of last year, the old buildings were pulled down and plans submitted to The Local Board for the new erection. After considerable discussion these were passed, and the present beautiful pile was commenced building in May 1892. Owing to the restricted character of the site it was found necessary to project the upper part from the first floor on the south and west fronts some two feet or more. The framework is supported by massive oak corbels and beams, tied down into the walls with strong wrought-iron bolts. The exterior of the building, when viewed from south-west, has a very imposing appearance, and is a marked improvement to that centre of the village in which it ta located. The lower part up to the first floor is built with local stone and red freestone dressings, and the upper parts on the two principal fronts aro carried out with wood framing, boarded and slated on the outside, and finished with a rough cast in cement. The south-west corner is finished with an octangular turret, well up above the roof, with a wrought-iron finial. The two fronts are broken up with projecting window., and the roof is covered with green Westmorland slates and red tiles. The interior is beautifully arranged, and each room fitted up in the most modern style, with every convenience. The banking room on the ground floor is a roomy apartment and has a panelled moulded ceiling; the floor is laid with wood paving. The front doors are richly panelled in oak, and the rest of the fittings are in pitch pine, with the exception of the top of the counter, which is of mahogany. The front of the counter is beautifully, panelled, with moulded pilasters, and on the top are three' moulded divisions, in which are inserted rchly painted glass. All the windows are filled with leaded lights. The entrance porch has a Mosaic floor, and off this there is a small manager's room and Ingle nook, with handsome stone mantle piece. Underneath is the strong room, which occupies a part of the basement. It is encased in massive masonry, lined with fire-brick, arched with concrete, and fitted up with heavy iron doors, the entrance being from the bank proper. The remainder of the basement is taken up with the larder and cellar belonging to the dwelling house. On the first floor there is the dining and drawing rooms, kitchen, scullery, pantry, and one bedroom. On the second floor are four bedrooms, with bath, w.c., linen closet, etc. The entrance to the bank is in Lake Road and to the house in St. Martin's Place, with a back entrance in Ash Street. Mr R. Walker, FRIBA., Windermere, was the architect, and the following were the contractors for the various parts of the structure : Masonry and walling, Atkinson Bros., Windermere joiners' work, Messrs. Latham & Dobson, Windermere; plastering, Mr Armstrong, Windermere; plumbing, Mr J. A. Pattinson, Windermere ; painting, glazing, paper banging and decorating, Mr F. G. Croft, Bowness ; the fittings in the banking room, Mr J. Edmondson, Bowness; wood chimney pieces, Mr Thomas Scott, Bowness ; wrought iron work, Mr J. Hewertson, Windermere; fire-grates, Mr T. Russell, Bowness. The bank buildings in conjunction with the new business premises of Mr Charles Birkett, chemist, form a pleasing and attractive feature in the architecture of the village. The architect who designed the latter building was Mr Joseph Pattinson, Bowness. [Lakes Chronicle and Reporter 29 September 1893 page 5]

Reference    Lakes Chronicle and Reporter 11 September 1891 page 5 – planning matters
Reference    Lakes Chronicle and Reporter 8 January 1892 page 4 - contracts
Reference    Lakes Chronicle and Reporter 29 September 1893 page 5
Reference    Building News 3 November 1893 page 594