The bank on Union Street was first earmarked for purchase by the Bank of England in August 1826. However, owing to complications with the lease and the discovery that the proprietors of the neighbouring library had a right of way through the yard at the rear of the bank (noted on drawing 8), the purchase of the lease from the assignees of Gibbons, Smith & Goode was delayed until November 1826. Once acquired, the turnaround was quick, and the Birmingham branch opened for business on 1 January 1827. The first agent was George Nicholls, and the sub-agent John Amery. From the dates on drawings 13-18, it can be judged that subsequent alterations to the branch first came under consideration in February 1829, and again throughout that year. In 1838 business was transferred to the former Bank of Birmingham property on Bennett's Hill, to both accommodate an increase in business, and to relocate from a building that was considered 'dark and confined'.

Literature:
W. Marston Acres, The Bank of England from Within, 1694-1900, Vol. II, 1931, pp. 432-33 & 571.

Tom Drysdale, February 2013

Sub-scheme

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