Manchester and Salford Savings Bank: Oldham Road Branch

The trustees of the Manchester and Salford Savings Bank are now erecting a new branch bank in the Oldham-road on a site a little more than a mile from the head office in Booth-street, Manchester. Of the old buildings on the ground, a portion has been pulled down to make way for the new bank and the remainder is being adapted for a caretaker’s residence. The material for the bank room is brick outside and in, with stone dressings; a superior and costly description of brick being used for the interior. An open arcaded winding staircase leads from the bank to the book-room in the basement and up to a gallery, where, screened from observation but in sight and hearing and eye-shot of the depositors, a clerk may retire for his luncheon or tea. The bank is expected to be ready for occupation and business by midsummer next. Mr Thomas Scott is the contractor, working under the direction of Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor. [British Architect 1 February 1884 Page 55-56]

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD SAVINGS BANK: OLDHAM ROAD BRANCH - The Trustees of the Manchester and Salford Savings Bank acquired possession a year ago of premises at the corner of Oldham Road and Livesay Street, previously used as a parsonage for the adjacent Wesleyan chapel. Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor, the architects, were instructed to prepare a design for a branch bank, with caretaker’s house. The front rooms were taken down, and on their site and on the space between the old house and Oldham Road the new bank has been built. The rest of the parsonage has been put into thorough repair, and with some few alterations has been made into a commodious house for the man in charge of the premises. The bank itself is in height equal to two storeys of the house behind it. The exterior is of red brick with stone dressings. An arcade of windows occupies the upper part of the south and west facades. Below there are two doorways and two bays, or recesses, the one for persons waiting, the other for a retiring room for private conferences between the clerk and a depositor. Inside the bank is light and airy. Abundant provision has been made for ventilation. The general effect of the interior is cheerful and inviting. It is fitted up with oak and pitch pine. The comfort of the depositors and of the clerks has been studied in all particulars. The work has been carried out, under the direction of the architects, by Mr Thomas Scott, builder. Mr Jardine, one of the trustees, will formerly open the bank this morning. [Manchester Guardian 25 June 1884 page 5]

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD SAVINGS BANK, OLDHAM ROAD BRANCH –A building, situate at the corner of Oldham Road and Livesey Street, in this city, which was formerly used as the residence of the minister of the Wesleyan Chapel near at hand, was twelve months ago purchased by the trustees of the Manchester and Salford Savings Bank, and it has now been transformed into a  handsome and convenient office for the purposes of the bank. The work has been carried out by Mr Thos. Scott, builder, from plans prepared by Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor. The bank was formally opened on Wednesday by Mr. James Jardine,[Manchester Courier 28 June 1884 page 6]

Reference    British Architect 1 February 1884 Page 55-56
Reference    Manchester Guardian 25 June 1884 page 5 - opening
Reference    Manchester Courier 28 June 1884 page 6