218 St Vincent Street West, Birmingham, B16 8RP 021-454 0326

Ladywood branch was one of the Bank's original offices on September 1st 1919, operating on a part-time basis on alternating days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The branch was worked in conjunction with Harborne, where opening days were Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The branch's location at this time was in a room that was formerly used as a national food kitchen at 299 Monument Road, Ladywood. Business increased rapidly, and full-time, daily openings were commenced in November 1919. The Bank was able to purchase 299 Monument Road, plus the adjoining butcher's shop at No 300, but was unable to obtain vacant possession of the whole of the buildings. When possession became available, the buildings were deemed unsuitable for the usual reconstruction project, and they were demolished in order that an attractive, purpose-designed, one-storey branch (plus a small adjoining house) could be built. During this work, the business of the branch was conducted in a wooden building located to the rear, after the original building's stabling and slaughterhouse were demolished. The City Surveyor prepared the plans for the new branch, and supervised the work, estimating the cost at £2,000. Formal opening of the Bank's second (after Handsworth) entirely new building took place on June 14th 1924, with the ceremony being performed by the Lady Mayoress - Miss Williams, who was a depositor at the branch. The ceremony was also attended by Neville Chamberlain. The branch's location at the junction of Monument Road and Icknield Port Road lended itself to a street widening scheme, and the Bank gave up a portion of land during the building process for this purpose. The address was amended to 300 Monument Road. In the mid-1960s, the site at the corner of Monument Road and Icknield Port Road was needed for the building of a new fire station, requiring the demolition of the branch. The branch was transferred to new premises at 218 St Vincent Street West, Ladywood, and officially opened by the Bank's Chairman (Mrs E L Hobson) on October 8th 1965. Number of Open Accounts at March 31st: 1920 - 1,782 1927 - 7,467 Managers: 1928 - H E Martin 1929 to 1931 - H R B Rees 1963 to 1966 - F W Hearne 1967 to 1970 - N A Monk 1972 - E A Stewart 1976 - G L Capener The newly constructed Ladywood branch and adjoining house in 1924. The second of the Bank's completely purpose-built offices, Ladywood utilised aspects in its design that had not featured in any of the previous thirteen permanent branches Left to Right: J P Hilton (General Manager) Thomas Williams (Lord Mayor) Miss Williams (Lady Mayoress) Neville Chamberlain Councillor Appleby (Chairman) (June 14th 1924) Assembled crowd at the branch's official opening: June 14th 1924 Interior of branch in 1924 218 St Vincent Street West - the branch's location from October 1965 Branch interior in 1965 The Bank's Chairman (Mrs E L Hobson) chats to two lady members of staff: Gertrude Leedham (partly hidden) and Edna Woodward Another view of branch interior This photograph taken at the branch opening (October 8th 1965) includes two members of the Bank's maintenance staff: - 1st left: Alf Maggs -3rd left: Lawrence Shaw