153 Weoley Castle Road, Birmingham, B29 5QH 021-427 2680

Situated about 4 miles to the southwest of the city centre, the Weoley Castle Estate was built in the early 1930s when some 2,000 council houses were erected, including the City's 40,000th council house which was opened by Neville Chamberlain on October 23rd 1933. The layout of the estate featured a central green surrounded by a road called Castle Square. The estate's shops were located here, as was the BMB's Weoley Castle Branch. On January 3rd 1936, a part-time branch was opened at 153 Castle Square, Weoley Castle, to service the needs of this new housing estate. Hours of business were: Mondays .... 18:00 to 20:00 Fridays ....... 18:00 to 20:00 The 1939 Annual Report stated that 'Plans have been approved for new Branch Banks at Weoley Castle and Shirley, to take the place of existing buildings'; the 1940 Report shows progress by commenting that building is in course of erection; and the 1941 Report states that the branch is now opening on Mondays to Wednesdays from 10:00 to 15:00. These same opening hours are given for the branch in 1942, but its address is now shown as simply 'Castle Square', although a report from the Bank Committee to the City Council (dated June 10th 1941) states that Alderman Harrison Barrow opened new premises on March 7th 1941. From 1945, the address is again given as 153 Castle Square. It is not until 1970 that the branch's address is listed as 153 Weoley Castle Road. Managers: 1963 - F Hood 1965 to 1966 - H Wheelock 1967 - H I Madeley 1969 - J King 1970 - M J Taylor 1972 - W H Hughes New premises for Weoley Castle branch in 1941, prior to the Bank's name being affixed Alderman Harrison Barrow performs the opening ceremony for the new premises on March 7th 1941. On his left are the Lord Mayor (Alderman W Martineau) and the Bank's General Manager (J P Hilton) Interior of branch in 1941 The Lord Mayor sits on the counter to speak to a group of children, following the opening ceremony The front of the branch photographed in 1974 (by Steve Barber) & 2008. Further photographs by Steve Barber: Image 047