BMB

The Bank's 1933 Annual Report commented that: Negotiations have been successfully concluded for the
establishment of a Branch or Branches of the Bank in the area of the Solihull Urban District Council,
and it is to be hoped during the present year to make such provision.

The following year's Annual Report then stated that: By arrangement with the Solihull District Council
the activities of the Bank now extend to the area of such Council, and Branches have been opened at
Shirley and Solihull. Residents of these areas are invited to make use of the two Branch Offices and
are reminded that the guarantee of the Birmingham Corporation in respect of deposits and interest
thereon applies to these external Branches to the same extent as it applies to Branches within the area
of the City of Birmingham.

In the 1930s, the population of Solihull was growing as people moved into the town from Birmingham.
Shirley, one of the main residential areas of Solihull, located three miles from Solihull town centre, saw its
population grow from about 7,000 in 1930 to about 35,000 by 1970.

The Bank's authority to establish branches outside Birmingham's boundaries under the provisions of
Sections 56 and 57 of the Birmingham Corporation (General Powers) Act, 1929, allowed the Bank to
follow its depositors to this dormitory town for the city's workers. Two branches were opened, both
initially on a part-time basis at temporary premises. The Shirley temporary office was located at 306
Stratford Road, and was probably opened on February 14th 1934, and the hours of business were:
Wednesdays .... 10:00 to 14:30
Thursdays ....... 10:00 to 12:00
Fridays ............ 10:00 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 20:00

As Solihull branch was open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, the same staff probably covered
both offices. When Solihull moved to reconstructed premises on July 20th 1938, and commenced daily
opening hours, Shirley branch also adopted full-time opening.

The Bank's 1939 Annual Report revealed that plans had been approved for a new branch at Shirley, and
these new premises were formally opened on January 18th 1940, by the Chairman of Solihull Council:
Councillor H W Miller (see Newspaper Report). The branch's address was listed at that time as 244
Stratford Road, but was amended to 248 Stratford Road in the 1950 Annual Report - Solihull's address
was also slightly amended at this time.

Accounts and Balances at January 1940:
- Open Accounts: 2,404
- Balances: Ł163,423

Managers:
1963 to 1965 - H E Shaw
1966 to 1967 - S Gregory
1969 to 1970 - J A Cox
1972 - K N Whittaker

Temporary premises at 306 Stratford Road,
Shirley: February 14th 1934 -
although the street numbering system has
since changed, these premises can still be
identified, at the corner of Stratford Road
and Church Road

Interior of temporary premises

The newly constructed Shirley branch: 1940

Councillor Miller (fifth left -
Chairman of Solihull Council)
speaking at the official opening of
the branch: January 18th 1940.
On his immediate right is Councillor
Harrison Barrow (Bank Chairman)

Interior of the branch in 1940

2008: now a branch of LloydsTSB