Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, Branch Bank, 7 Hargreaves Street, Burnley

Opened 1886. Closed as bank in 1930 Converted to solicitors’ offices. The illustration appears to have been published several years after the completion of the bank. Roofscape removed

NEW BANK PREMISES IN BURNLEY - On Monday next will be opened the new and handsome premises in Hargreaves-street built by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, Limited, which to conduct their increasing business in Burnley.....  The new building is described as being in the Early English style of architecture and presents a very pleasing external appearance. The whole of the outer walls are of smooth-faced stone obtained from Howley Park Quarry, near Dewsbury. The building itself is three storeys in height, and the front is embellished with the coats of arms of the counties of Lancaster and York; shields adorned with carvings of fruit, and the name of the bank in gilt letters. The smooth surface of the exterior is also relieved with niches placed at suitable intervals, which, we presume, will be filled with emblematic figures. The whole of the carving has been satisfactorily executed by Mr. Millson, of Manchester. Over the entrance is the monogram, " L. and Y. B.," in gilt surrounded by an appropriate device. The bank premises are entered by means a massive folding and sliding door of solid teak. Upon entering, the customers and visitors find themselves in a vestibule twelve feet long and eight feet wide. The walls are to a certain height covered with polished mahogany, and the floors are tiled. Passing then through mahogany doors panelled with bevelled glass, the customers enter the bank itself—a spacious and lofty room, twelve yards long and eight yards wide, handsomely furnished and adorned. The customers, who have suitable seats provided both in the vestibule and bank, transact their business at a large mahogany counter, behind which are desks provided for the clerks. Both counters and desks are fitted up in the most approved style, and are, like the whole of the furniture in this room, of solid mahogany, polished. The room is surrounded with polished mahogany, and the wall between this woodwork and the panelled ceiling is decorated with Japanese paper. The ceiling itself is emblematical. In the corner windows are four roses, and the centre is decorated with embossed glass containing the monogram, " L. and Y. B.," while at equal distances are shields, and the coats of arms of the counties of Lancaster and York, the Bank, and the Borough. On the left of the entrance are three beautiful mahogany arches. The first is over the entrance itself, the second is over the door of the waiting room, and the third covers the entrance to the manager's room—a snug apartment 12 feet square and fitted up in good style. The mantelpiece is a work of art; —a magnificent brass chandelier is suspended in the centre, and the desk and furnishings are of the best possible description. The desk is supplied by Messrs Harrison and Son, and the chairs by Messrs. W. and J. S. Collinge. This room is very conveniently situated, and can be approached either from the bank, the waiting room, or a separate vestibule leading from the entrance. Thus, customers who are sent from the bank to the waiting room may enter by a separate door, and pass out again without going through the bank, while those customers who wish to go direct to the room without entering the bank may touch an electric button at the entrance, and thus acquaint the manager with their presence. They will then, if admitted, proceed along the private vestibule. The convenience of this arrangement is thus apparent. The brass chandelier in the manager's room, together with the five standards in the bank, are of special and ornate design, and have been furnished by Messrs. Dutton and Power, of Manchester. The floor of the bank is of oak, laid in what is known as the "herring pattern," with Stockholm tar, and seems quite as durable, and much less noisy than any kind of tiling could possibly be. The premises are well ventilated, there being five inlet tubes above the mahogany work, while the outlet is immediately under the ceiling windows. In the basement, which is lighted with deck lights of very thick glass, are the lavatories, voucher, and strong rooms, together with all the other requisites of a bank. The premises are heated throughout on the high-pressure system, the apparatus being supplied by Messrs. John King, Limited, Liverpool. Adjoining the bank, and forming part of the same premises, are no fewer than 17 offices and two cellars, which will, it is expected, be ready for occupation in about two months. These will be let separately or in suites, and it likely that they will soon be taken, for Mr. Gill has already had several applications. They are being finished in the best style and will be known as the "Bank Chambers." Mr. Asahel P. Bell, of 32, St. Ann's Street, Manchester, has been the architect, and under his able supervision the following contractors have carried out the whole of the work a very creditable manner: —Messrs. Smith and Kippax, masons; Messrs. Dean and Sons, joiners; Messrs. Preston and Son, painters and plasterers; Messrs. Owen and Co., plumbers; and Mr. Stanworth, slater. These are all of Burnley, but the internal mahogany fittings have been carried out by Mr. William Arbuckle, Cornbrook, Manchester. The directors will probably pay a visit to the bank on the occasion of its opening, and a preliminBurnley Express - Wednesday 11 August 1886 page 11ary inspection allowed to our representative induces his belief that everything will be found satisfactory, no pains or expense having apparently been pared to render the premises thoroughly adapted to a large and successful banking business. [Burnley Express - Wednesday 11 August 1886 page 11]

LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE BANK PREMISES AT BURNLEY - Messrs Bell and Roper are the architects of these branch premises of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank at Burnley of which we give back (side) and front elevations, and ground-floor and first-floor plans. [Building News 30 October 1891]

Reference   Burnley Express - Wednesday 11 August 1886 page 11

Reference           Building News 30 October 1891 page and illustration