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.
Housing expanded in the town by infilling between the three major roads that ran through the borough: the
routes from Birmingham to Coventry, Warwick, and Stratford. The two main shopping areas for the
town were established in Solihull's town centre, and (3 miles away) at Shirley.

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 Solihull temporary office was located at 20a High
Street, and was probably opened on April 28th 1934, the hours of business were:

Mondays ..... 10:00 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 20:00
Tuesdays .... 10:00 to 14:30
Saturdays .... 10:00 to 13:00
The two branches appear to have been operated by the same staff, as each was opened on three days a
week; Shirley was open on Wednesdays to Fridays.

The Bank's 1937 Annual Report stated that 'Premises have been purchased in Poplar Road, Solihull, with
the object of providing more accommodation than is possible in the existing temporary premises. When
the new premises are ready daily Bank facilities will be arranged.' These premises were the Estate Office
of Harold Nock.

The reconstructed premises in Poplar Road were formally opened on July 20th 1938 by the Chairman of
Solihull Council (Councillor H W Miller), 'in the presence of Members of the Solihull Council, Members
of the Birmingham City Council, and others.' Daily banking facilities were provided as from that date - the
address of these new premises was 31 Poplar Road.

Without any explanatory comment, the Bank's 1950 Annual Report amends Solihull's address to 16
Poplar Road. (Branches were advised by a Circular dated November 11th 1949.) At the same time,
Shirley's address was also amended slightly, suggesting that addresses in the Solihull area were subject to
a re-numbering exercise.

Managers:
1963 to 1967 - N L Newcombe
1969 to 1970 - G P Copsey
1972 - J A Cox

Temporary premises at 20a High Street, Solihull
April 28th 1934

Interior of temporary premises

Site for new premises (previously:
Harold Nock - Estate Office)

New premises: 1938

Councillor Miller (right of doorway)
officially opens the new office. The
Lord Mayor of Birmingham (Coun.
E R Canning) is on the left of the
photograph. Others present are
Coun. Wilfred Martineau (double-
breasted suit) and J P Hilton
(extreme right of photograph)

The crowd assembled to witness
the opening ceremony

Branch interior in 1938

Business commences in the new
premises: July 20th 1938