36 Bristol Street, Birmingham, B5 7AA 021-622 4655

After several years of attempting to find a suitable site in the area of Bristol Street (a location on the southern edge of the city centre) the Bank was successful in 1927 in their negotiations for the purchase of a freehold property. The properties purchased for the sum of £2,500 were 36 Bristol Street (a gentleman's hosier and dwelling house) and 38 Bristol Street (the Stafford Arms public house) as shown in the photograph below. At about the same time, the Bank also purchased land in the nearby location of Sherlock Street. The existing retail shop and house at 36 Bristol Street were let at £50 per annum and subject to the Rent Restrictions Acts. Possession of the Stafford Arms was available on completion of the purchase, although there was a small area let at the rear producing £12 per year subject to three months' notice. However, completion of the purchase was only possible after the vendors of the Stafford Arms had finished erecting a new public house elsewhere. The Bank's desire to open a branch in this area was therefore delayed by the immediate availability of a suitable freehold property, and it was not until May 3rd 1930 that Horse Fair branch was formally opened by the Lord Mayor (Alderman M L Lancaster). Manager: 1930 & 1931 - E H Viney 1963 to 1965 - A H F Giddings 1966 - C Russ 1967 to 1970 - E A Stewart 1971 - D M Bickley 1974 - D J Glenn 1976 - D A Coton 36 & 38 Bristol Street, prior to construction of Horse Fair branch Newly constructed premises, 1930 Crowd assembling for the branch's opening ceremony: May 3rd 1930 The Bank's Chairman (Alderman Sir Percival Brown) speaking at the opening ceremony The assembled crowd listening to the Chairman's speech Branch interior: 1930