Although premises for the branch were purchased in 1927, demolition of the existing property and erection of a purpose built
branch, was not commenced until 1928, and the office was not formally opened (at 161 Sherlock Street) until January 12th 1929,
by the Lord Mayor (Alderman W Byng Kenrick). Contractors wishing to tender for the work of demolition and subsequent erection of the
new premises were able to inspect plans and specifications at the office of the City Engineer and Surveyor (W H Humphries, M.Inst.C.E),
suggesting that the City Architect supervised the project.
During the Second World War, a number of the Bank's properties
suffered bomb damage. Sherlock Street branch seems to have narrowly avoided this fate - the following report of the Finance and General
Purposes Sub-Committee to the Bank Committee, dated February 16th 1948, refers to damage incurred by the properties on each side of
the branch:
In April 1947, a report was submitted to the Committee that, during a gale on Sunday evening, the 16th March 1947, the
gable end which remained of the adjoining demolished property No 163 Sherlock Street, was blown on to the flat roof over the Sherlock
Street branch, carrying with it the Bank's own parapet. In its fall, it broke through and completely destroyed one of the lantern
lights (6' x 8') on the flat roof, together with the laylight below, causing also considerable damage to the plaster ceiling and to
12' of counter and certain counter fittings.
Mr Surman negotiated with the War Damage Commission, who, agreed to pay the cost incurred
in making good and rendering waterproof the surface of the wall of the Bank premises exposed by the collapse of the wall above referred
to. They did not, however, consider the other repairs to be consequential War Damage.
Certain external repairs were executed as soon
as possible to render the premises waterproof.
The claim to be submitted by Mr Surman to the War Damage Commission will be approximately
as follows:
External works executed
£ 155 - 8 - 4
Internal works not yet executed (side passage)
£ 31- 16 -2
--------------
£
187 - 4 - 6
========
The Town Clerk reported to the Committee in October last that, in his opinion, the Gooch Estate, to whom the adjoining site
in question belongs, must be held responsible for the repair of the damage, other than that to be met by the War Damage Commission.
The
cost of these repairs, subject to variation in current prices, is approximately as follows:
External works executed £
177 - 14 - 1
Internal works not yet executed £
177 - 3 - 8
--------------
£ 354 - 17 - 9
========
The Bank Committee, at their meeting on October 20th, instructed the Town Clerk to take all requisite steps to
enforce the claims of the Bank.
The Town Clerk is of the opinion that proceeding with the internal work would not prejudice any claim
against the Gooch Estate. In view of the present unsatisfactory condition of the banking hall, the architect has been instructed to
have the outstanding internal work executed and to notify the Gooch Estate accordingly.
The Committee will remember that a report was
submitted at their meeting on the 1st December, that No 159, Sherlock Street, the property on the other side of the branch, is to
be demolished under a contract led by the Public Works Department, and the War Damage Commission have agreed to meet the cost of making
good any part of the Bank premises affected or disturbed during the demolition.
Mr Surman, who is watching the Bank's interest, informed
the General Manager on the 19th January, that the contractors had already begun the demolition and that he would advise him of further
development as necessary.
During part of the Second World War, the branch was one of twenty-two offices that were opened on a
restricted basis due to a shortage of staff. Details at
Combination of Branches.
After surviving the War, the branch became
a victim of the clearance of slum housing in the 1950s, and the consequent reduction of the area's residential population. These factors resulted
in the closure of the branch on May 31st 1960. All remaining open accounts were transferred to Horse Fair branch.