I don’t bank here, but more’s the pity. These once commonly seen places may be closing down on every High Street, some having morphed into ambient coffee shops and glitzy drinking dens, but this one’s glorious interior hangs on, still servicing its intended purpose everyday.
Designed and still open for business, a Lloyds bank from a bygone era, when it was certainly trickier and yet seemingly more glamorous getting a loan from the bank manager. Haha I’ve not one of that rare species in years. Back when you had to press your best clobber best heading out and prove to the banking staff that you were worth lending to. The interior is grand and yet functional, glorious and not too showy.
The world of credit has changed radically since these bricks were first stacked, with most of us having our own portable bank manager loosely carried in the back pocket or sat next on the couch; but every now and then, I like to nip into this old place, gaze up, remind myself that once banking had a much more theatrical build-up.
I was not surprised, but slightly sad to see that Lloyds’ functional corporate website makes no reference to this glorious space. Noticing its grandeur makes all the difference to me and I hope to everyone who walks through these doors.
Looking up once a twice has made all the difference for me.