From Counting House to Cosy House!

#LowestoftDaysOfChristmas 5th day..  From 'Counting House' in 1812 to now a welcoming private residence , via a Bank manager taking refuge under his bed covers to avoid wartime bomb damage and a 1960's modern refit, this building has been through more than most! 

The branch originally operated from different premises on the High Street (what is now no. 45 - Uncle Sid's Zero Waste Store) by circa 1830 and remained at this address until it moved to 62 High Street in 1858. The agents for the bank in the 1830s were John Brown and Daniel Chaston, linen and woollen drapers. 

Barclays had a branch at 62 High Street. Street directories of the town suggest that an agency of the Yarmouth Bank (one of the Gurney banks of the East of England) in 1812. The branch moved to 62 High Street, overlooking Lowestoft Ness and the sea, three years after these new premises were purchased in 1855 (we have a note this was formerly the Star Inn). Nearly 40 years later, in 1896, the Yarmouth Bank was one of twenty private banks that amalgamated to form Barclay and Company Limited.  The Gurney banks were a primary force in this collaboration. 

At this time, Barclay & Co did survey reports on all the premises belonging to its constituent banks, including that of Lowestoft High Street, which has descriptions of the rooms inside the building and a plan of the plot of land. They also made volumes with schedules of title deeds which track the ownership of the land over time. In 1903 the freehold of the adjoining premises was purchased for £475. 

Mr C W Walker was the branch manager at 62 High Street; this was from Jun 1938 until he retired in 1947. During the Second World War the town of Lowestoft was heavily bombed: 283 direct attacks were launched.  The branch was fortunate enough not to suffer a great deal of damage.  Its closest shave came on the night of 14-15th February 1941, when 58 High Street was bombed with the loss of two lives.  The branch manager, Mr C W Walker, lived on the premises and took refuge under his bed covers.  The blast damaged the bank house roof and sent debris flying: Mr Walker was showered by bricks, stones, dirt, and glass and was narrowly missed by a 3lb stone. 

On 18th Jan 1949 a notice was given that 62 High Street is ‘of special historic interest’. 

The branch remained at the same location until 1965, when alterations were made to the building.  The branch spent 1965 and most of 1966 in temporary premises behind the permanent building.  On 9 December 1966, the Local Directors hosted a cocktail party at the branch to celebrate its return to an extended and modernised branch. The architects were Messrs Tayler and Green of Lowestoft and they were congratulated for transforming the building.  The guests invited to the reception included prominent officials and citizens, representative of professional and contracting firms engaged on the project, managers of surrounding branches and branch staff. 

The name of the branch altered slightly over the years, as other branches opened and closed in the town.  From 1919-1923, the branch was known as North Lowestoft.  Before this, it was known as Lowestoft. Lowestoft High Street was the name used later in the branch’s life. With effect from 12 February 1979, Lowestoft High Street became a sub-branch to Lowestoft Central.  It closed on 19 April 1991. 

The photographs we have of this branch date from the 1950s-1960s, mainly the refurbished premises in 1967). CREDIT: Rosie Fogarty, Barclays Group Archives

Read MORE at https://lowestoftoldandnow.org/61-62-high-street#architecture

https://lowestoftoldandnow.org/45-high-street

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