Manchester and County Bank, Long Street, Middleton (later the District Bank)

Stone with demonstratively asymmetrical skyline.

Reference           Pevsner Lancashire South page 350 (not included in the revised edition)

The New Bank We are informed that Mr Edgar Wood architect of Middleton been entrusted with the drawing up of the plans and specifications for the new bank to be erected in the Market Place by the Manchester and County Banking Co. [Middleton Guardian - Saturday 29 June 1889 page 4] 

 THE MANCHESTER AND COUNTY BANK, NEW PREMISES - The new premises which are being erected in Long Street, Middleton, for the Manchester and County Bank, Limited, are approaching completion. The general architecture—the castellated turrets and the rich stone carving—exhibits an exterior far superseding that of any public or private building in the town. It has evoked the admiration of all who have seen it. It is in the highest sense creditable to the architect (Mr. Edgar Wood) and the contractor (Mr. J. Bromley). To celebrate the "roof rearing" the workmen who had been employed, to the number of about 50. were entertained to a grand dinner at the house of Mr. W. Walker, the Masons Arms. Hotel, Market Place. [Middleton Albion - Saturday 21 June 1890 page 4] 

MANCHESTER AND COUNTY BANK LIMITED. THE NEW BANK PREMISES, MARKET PLACE, MIDDLETON - On Monday next the Manchester and County Bank will remove to handsome new promises which have been built for them in the Market Place Middleton, and a brief description of the premises will no doubt be interesting to our readers. The whole of the premises are cellared the floor being fireproof.  In one corner is the strong room in which will be placed the safes. The walls round this room are of brick two feet in thickness the whole lined with steel plates, this being the most reliable form of strong room. In the cellar are also lavatories, etc. for the use of the bauk clerks. The ground floor consists entirely of banking premises with manager’s room. The front of the premises is carried out in Spinkwell stone with Bolton granite foundations the design being of Tudor Gothic character having very striking effect The bank is entered by a stone porch and vestibule through two pairs of vestibule doors which have the advantage of keeping out all draughts Above the whole are lead lights. The whole of the walls of the bank are lined with oak dado five feet high, the portion of the walls being covered with plaster panels taken from the coat of arms of the bank (a lion). The ceilings are composed of white wood panels and pitch pine mouldings. The public part of bank is lit by a lantern light with octagon ends, and by this means a capital light is obtained. The whole of the fittings are made of baywood the counter work being composed of the finest picked mahogany veneer, and we believe will compare with any fittings in or around Manchester, particularly as to the quality of the wood which is most unique The floor to the public room is covered with mosaic tiling, the patterns being worked with details from the coat of arms of the bank. The mantel pieces are very massive, and are composed of stone, the recesses being tiled. The upper part the premises provides accommodation for the caretaker and consists of bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen and a large spare room The ground floor is heated by hot water by means of four coils of pipes. The whole of the work was contracted for by Mr John Blomeley contractor of Middleton Junction and sub-contractors were: stonework Messrs Grundy and Sons, Tonge; plumbing and painting, Mr John Dean, Middleton; plastering; Messrs. T and M Lyons, Middleton; carving, Mr F Floyd; oak work and inside fittings, Messrs Brown, Salford. The whole of the work been executed under the personal superintendence of Me Edgar Wood ARIBA, architect of Middleton to whom the greatest credit is due as the building is admitted to be the finest and most substantial of its kind in the district. The cost of the entire structure is about £3000. The Manchester and County Bank was established in 1862 and it has prospered in a most marvellous manner The nominal share capital is £5,000,000, subscribed capital £4,400,000, paid-up capital £704,000 reserve fund £545,000. [Middleton Guardian - Saturday 17 January 1891 page 8]