Kings Heath branch was initially established in a room in the Kings Heath and Moseley Institute (below left), on a part-time basis from September 1st 1919, before being transferred to the High Street in June 1920. A permanent branch was opened on this new site on April 24th 1922, but was replaced with a reconstruction that was opened on June 2nd 1928.
Bank Committee: August 29th 1919
The Manager reported the terms for engagement of a room at the King's Heath Institute viz: £40 per
annum inclusive.
Bank Committee: December 1st 1919
Report of the Publicity Sub-Committee:
KING'S HEATH.
Negotiations are in
progress with the Electric Supply Department for the renting of a portion of their premises in High Street, King's Heath, for use
as a Branch Bank, and the matter will be brought before your Committee again in due course.
381 RESOLVED:- That the Report of the Publicity Sub-Committee be approved.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 2nd 1920
Special Report of the Manager to the Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee:
The "hold ups" which have recently been reported at various Banks compel me to draw your urgent attention to the unsatisfactory condition of several of your premises, and to urge that immediate steps be taken to secure the safety of both money and staff.
In accordance with your previous decision, I have supplied each Branch Superintendent and the Chief Cashier at Head Office with a revolver and the necessary ammunition, and instructions to its use have been given by Mr Carver, one of the Superintendents and an ex-officer of His Majesty's Forces. I have further thought it advisable to provide police whistles.
With regard to the premises, I have thought it advisable to report upon each one separately as follows:
King's Heath. An evening Branch. Here we have the sole use of one room on the ground floor. The premises are only temporary.
Bank Committee: January 5th 1920
Report
of the Publicity Sub-Committee:
Kings Heath.
With reference to negotiations that have been in progress with the Electric Supply
Department for the renting of premises in High Street, Kings Heath, your Sub-Committee report that, owing to a previous arrangement,
the Electric Supply Department are unable to let these premises to the Bank.
Enquiries are being made with a view to obtaining
more suitable premises than those at present in use at the Institute, and your Sub-Committee will report further at a later date.
Bank
Committee: February 2nd 1920
Report of the Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee:
Premises, King's Heath.
The Committee
are aware that the present Branch Bank premises at the Institute are unsatisfactory and enquiries have now been made as to premises
Nos 73 & 73a High Street, which are situated in the midst of the shopping centre and are suitable in other respects. The property
which is freehold, could probably be acquired for about £1,750 and immediate possession could be obtained of the premises, with the
exception of a retail lock-up shop with cellar at No 73, which is let on a quarterly tenancy.
Your Sub-Committee, in view of
the difficulty of obtaining suitable premises in this locality, are of opinion that it may be desirable to purchase this property,
and let off the portion not required for Branch Bank purposes, but have instructed the Manager to obtain further particulars in order
that he may lay a definite proposal before your Committee to-day.
With reference to the paragraph in the Report as to Nos 73
and 73a High Street, King's Heath, the Manager reported that he had received an offer from the agent of the owner, who was prepared
to sell the property for £1775.
It was pointed out that the portion of the premises not required for Bank purposes could probably
be let at £80 per annum, tenant paying rates.
414 RESOLVED:- That, subject to the Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee
being satisfied with a valuation of the property to be made by Mr Lancaster, the Housing & Estates Committee be requested to take
the necessary steps to purchase the premises Nos 73 and 73a High Street, Kings Heath, at the sum of £1775.
Bank Committee: March
1st 1920
Report of the Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee:
King's Heath Premises.
In accordance with the instruction
contained in Minute No 414 of the Bank Committee a Special Meeting was held on Thursday, February 5th to consider a Report of the
Superintendent Valuer with regard to the premises in question.
On consideration of this Report, your Committee were of opinion
that the price asked for the property (£1775) was reasonable, and as the offer only remained open until the following day (February
6th) they directed the Manager to notify the Agent of its acceptance.
A communication was forwarded to the Housing & Estates
Committee asking for their confirmation of your Sub-Committee's action, and the following Minute with reference thereto has now been
received:
"1925. RESOLVED:- That the Council be recommended to purchase the properties in Stratford Road and High Street, King's Heath,
for branch bank purposes, the Bank Committee to pay by way of rent all outgoings in connection therewith until such time as they are
in a position to take the properties over, and that the difference, if any the remaining be credited to the Bank Committee."
Your
Sub-Committee now ask that their action in this matter be confirmed.
430 RESOLVED:- That the action taken by the Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee in regard to the property Nos 73 and 73a High Street, Kings Heath, referred to in the foregoing Report, be confirmed.
Bank Committee: March 29th 1920
Report of the Finance & General Purposes Committee:
73 & 73a High Street,
Kings Heath.
The Vendor's Solicitors have been notified to serve notice to quit on the tenant of No 73, but there is some doubt as
to the validity of the existing tenancy, and it may be that possession will not be obtainable until Lady Day next. Mr Wilde thinks
that the matter may be amicably arranged by an exchange of shops; and this matter will be further gone into after the Easter Holidays.
Mr Wilde is of opinion that the back portion of the premises should be let with the living accommodation; and your Sub-Committee recommend that instructions be given for the best rental possible to be obtained.
452 RESOLVED:- That the Manager be instructed to take the necessary steps to let the back portion of No 73 High Street, Kings Heath, referred to in the foregoing Report, on the best terms possible.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: April 23rd 1920
On Minute No 158, the Manager asked for authority to instruct Mr Wilde to take the necessary steps for letting the rear portion of No 73 High Street, King's Heath.
180 RESOLVED:- That the Manager be authorised to instruct Mr Wilde accordingly.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: April 30th 1920
On Minute No 180, the Manager stated that a difficulty had arisen with the tenant of No 73 High Street, Kings Heath.
197 RESOLVED:- That the Manager be authorised to instruct Mr Wilde to deal with the matter in accordance with the existing arrangement.
Bank
Committee: May 3rd 1920
On Minute No 430 the Town Clerk presented the following Report:
Premises 73 & 73a, High Street, King's
Heath
Cowen to the Corporation.
I have to report that the purchase from Mr Walter Cowan of the above freehold property for the sum of
£1775 has been completed.
Bank Committee: May 14th 1920
The Manager reported that an offer had been received from Mr Wm Lane of
Messrs Lane and Payne to lease for a period of four years a portion of the premises Nos 73 and 73a High Street, Kings Heath, at a
rental of £80 per annum plus rates. He would also be prepared to take over the lock-up shop at No 73a at an additional rental of £35
per year if and when desired.
499 RESOLVED:- That the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and affix the Corporation Seal to the
necessary Agreement with Messrs Wm Lane & Payne for leasing to them the portion of the premises Nos 73 and 73a High Street, Kings
Heath, referred to in Mr Wilde's letter of 14th May 1920, for a period of four years at a rental of £80 per annum, plus rates.
Bank
Committee: June 7th 1920
512 On Minute No 499 the Town Clerk reported that the Ministry of Health proposed to hold an Inquiry on the
question of the purchase of the High St King's Heath property. He was obtaining further particulars to submit to the Ministry in the
matter.
Bank Committee: August 30th 1920
568 On Minute No 499, the following Report of the Town Clerk was received:
73 and
73a High Street, Kings Heath
Lease to Wm Lane and Payne
I have to report that in accordance with the above Minute, I have completed
a lease of the above premises to Messrs Wm Lane & Payne for a period of 5 years from the 24th day of June 1920 at the yearly rent
of £80.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: June 13th 1921
It was pointed out that the tenancy of the larger shop, No 73 High Street, would expire on the 24th June instant, and
it would then be possible to deal with the question of the necessary increased accommodation at this Branch. The business of the Bank
is at present conducted in the adjacent shop, which is very narrow and inadequate for the needs of the Branch.
476 RESOLVED:-
That the Manager be authorised to obtain a Report from Mr McMichael (Architect) as to the best method of altering the building for
the purposes of the Bank with a view to opening same as a Daily Branch.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: July 7th
1921
OPENING OF FURTHER DAILY BRANCHES
The question of providing additional facilities at certain branches now open during
evening hours only has been under consideration. The additional staff provides an opportunity for carrying out this policy a little
earlier than would have been recommended in the ordinary development of the Bank. The branches which have shown a satisfactory development
during the past twelve months are as set out below:-
|
|
No. of open accounts |
No. of transactions during the year |
Amount due to
Depositors £ |
Increase during the year £ |
|
Bearwood |
832 |
5,564 |
20,716 |
12,302 |
|
Harborne |
705 |
4,045 |
19,492 |
10,030 |
|
Kings Heath |
672 |
4,002 |
17,450 |
8,859 |
|
Erdington |
669 |
2,905 |
17,755 |
8,136 |
(These
figures relate to the position as ascertained at the 31st March last.)
In the case of Bearwood the premises are let to the Bank
on a yearly tenancy, and the same rent and rates would be payable whether used during the evenings only or as a daily branch. The
success of this Branch is due, in the Manager's opinion, to the enthusiasm of the Clerk-in-charge, Mr C Danks. The books are kept
in a first-rate manner, and the Branch stands out prominently as a well conducted evening branch. It is recommended to offer Mr Danks
the appointment on the branch becoming a daily branch, on the terms applicable to Grade B.
In the case of Harborne, the branch
is conducted in the Public Library, which is an unsatisfactory arrangement. Up to the present it has not been possible to obtain other
premises. It is therefore proposed to continue as at present at Harborne until suitable premises are obtained, when the branch could
then be made into a daily branch.
In the case of Kings Heath, the premises were purchased by the Bank, and as a temporary arrangement
the business has been carried on in a very narrow shop which was originally a gateway entrance. Mr McMichael has been instructed to
report upon the premises, and to advise the Committee how the same can be made into a suitable Bank. It is felt that the most appropriate
time to open this branch as a daily branch will be when the structural alterations have been made.
In the case of Erdington,
the premises are suitable for a daily branch. The same rent and rates are payable whether used as a daily or an evening branch. It
is recommended that this branch be opened daily as and from the 1st September next.
(July 7th 1921)
Finance & General Purposes
Sub-Committees: July 11th 1921
On Minute No 476 (73 High Street, Kings Heath) it was -
484 RESOLVED:- That the General Committee
be recommended to instruct the Town Clerk to take the necessary steps for obtaining possession of No 73 High Street, Kings Heath,
required for extending the Bank premises.
486 RESOLVED:- That the Manager's Report be approved and the General Committee recommended to authorise the opening of Erdington and Bearwood Branches as Daily Branches as and from 1st September next and Kings Heath Branch when the increased accommodation is available.
Bank Committee: July 18th 1921
Reports of the Finance & General Purposes
Sub-Committee:
No 73, High Street, Kings Heath.
In connection with the required extension of the Branch Bank accommodation at
King's Heath, it will be necessary to obtain possession of No 73, High Street, at present occupied by Mr George Ward whose notice
of termination of tenancy expired on the 24th June 1921. Your Sub-Committee accordingly recommend that the Town Clerk be instructed
to take the necessary steps to obtain possession of the premises.
870 RESOLVED:- That the Town Clerk be instructed to take the
necessary steps for obtaining possession of No 73 High Street, Kings Heath.
In view of the prospective enlargement of the Branch
premises at King's Heath, they are of opinion that the opening as a daily branch should be deferred until the extended accommodation
is available.
871 RESOLVED:- That the Kings Heath Branch be opened as a Daily Branch when the necessary increased accommodation is available; and that the Manager be instructed to arrange accordingly.
Opening of additional Daily Branches.
Your Sub-Committee have had before them a report of the Manager with regard to the opening of certain evening branches as daily branches. The additional staff available under the recent arrangements with the Water Department provides an opportunity of carrying out this arrangement at an earlier date than would otherwise occur in the ordinary development of the Bank.
The Evening Branches which have shown a satisfactory development during the past 12 months are as follows:
Bearwood, Harborne, King's Heath and Erdington.
With regard to Harborne, your Sub-Committee are of opinion that the opening of a daily branch should be deferred until more suitable premises in this district have been obtained.
In view of the prospective enlargement of the Branch premises at King's Heath, they are also of opinion that the opening as a daily branch should be deferred until the extended accommodation is available.
In the cases of Bearwood and Erdington, however, the existing premises are quite suitable for opening as daily branches, and such an arrangement would not involve any additional payment of rent or rates.
It is now recommended, therefore, that instructions should be given for the opening of the Erdington and Bearwood Branches as daily branches as and from the 1st September next, and that the King's Heath Branch be opened as a daily Branch when the increased accommodation is available.
871 RESOLVED:- That the Erdington and Bearwood Branches be opened as Daily Branches as from 1st September next; that the Kings Heath Branch be opened as a Daily Branch when the necessary increased accommodation is available; and that the Manager be instructed to arrange accordingly.
Continued ....