It is well known to locals that St Leonards on Sea, with a population of about 40,000, has not a single bank left. It had, in the 1950s, about a dozen. The only places where you can have an account are, I believe, the post office and the nearby branch of the Nationwide Building Society, both on London Road. Now there are only the branches in the centre of adjoining Hastings.
This post briefly states in street name order where these banks where and what they are now. My sources were mostly random street directories from the Hastings Library’s collection, which ends in 1974, plus information from planning applications.
Even these fragments of information show that an address could often be used for a variety of functions. Typically, the top floors were the bank manager’s flat, and this area tended to either stay as flats or became offices. Most are marked as banks on the very detailed 1954 Ordnance Survey maps. am aware that many banks changed names or absorbed companies, so this is a simplified list. If anyone can give more information on these banks or addresses please feel free to comment.
59 Bohemia Road. Previously a corn and coal merchant at 73 Bohemia Road, London and County Bank about 1901, street renumbered so address was 59 Bohemia Road by 1911, was Westminster Bank in 1928, was Barclays by 1939. Closed 1970. A planning application for an upholstery repair and showroom was refused as inappropriate. In 1971 it was an optical workshop, Wilson & Hancock. In 1988, a shop carrying out the sale and repair of radios. Toxic Tattoo from 2014.
1 Eversfield Place. Previously a chemist, about 1902 London and South Western Bank. By 1921 Barclay’s. In 1991, planning application from a bank for an extension to existing café with ancillary amusement area. In 1991 licensed restaurant and wine bar. In 1993 an Italian restaurant, later an Indian restaurant, now Forte’s Italian restaurant.
3 and 4 Grand Parade. Building News, 23 Sept 1887, lists tenders for its construction, Salter accepted, £4475, architect R.A. Hill, as London and County Bank. In March 1925 Westminster Bank, new name of merger of London County Westminster and Parr’s Bank Limited. Was there in 1974. Planning applications for conversion from vacant office into flats, 1998, 2001, and 2006.
14 Grand Parade. At the corner with London Road, opposite the Bonjour café. Was a chemist’s from at least 1851 to about 1890. In 1901 Capital and Counties Bank, in 1921 ‘Lloyd’s Bank Limited (Capital and Counties Branch)’, in 1925 Midland Bank, which moved in 1964 to 22-26 Norman Road. Later Goldhawk Building Society, later insurance office Hill House Hammond, now Omega Studio jewellery store.
16 Grand Parade. In 1901 Cave’s the auctioneers. In 1921 Tanton’s, auctioneers. In 1928 a private address. National Provincial Bank in 1929. Closed about 1975. Changed between offices, residential and retail, later club for St Leonards Sea Anglers, in 2011 was Plenty Provisions Store, now Graze Restaurant.
28 and 29 Grand Parade. Lloyds was at no. 29 by 1891, when no. 28 was a chemist; in 1884 no. 29 had been a wine merchant. In 1919 no. 28 was acquired. There in 1974. At various times planning applications to be solicitor’s offices, student accommodation, and a hotel. Now Bank Hotel and Bistro.
45a London Road. Corner of King’s Road. Trustee Savings Bank, established 1948. Now opticians.
144 London Road. Corner of Springfield Road. In 1901 and 1920 a doctor’s. Westminster Bank by 1930. Was there in 1960. In 1973 a private address. Applications to partially convert into, or to add, offices, 1974 and 1982. From 2013 Bank House Studio with accommodation above. Also at times numbered 32 Springfield Road, apparently.
393 London Road. Previously a butcher, opened as Lloyds in 1919. Was there in 1960. In 1974 a tobacconist. In 1976 application to convert from a shop to a takeaway. In 1977, (another ?) application for Chinese takeaway rejected, as too small, traffic hazard. 1984, residential to office. Now Creative Light and Print.
44 Marina. Lloyds. Dates from at least 1884, when Beeching’s Bank (in Hastings) had as agent C.T. How, coal and beer merchant. In 1901 Lloyd’s had as agent Richard Stace, coal and beer merchant (successor to How’s business). In 1921 Lloyd’s. Reconstructed, 1930. Closed because of war damage, reopened 1948. Not present in 1954, in which year there were successful applications to convert from an office to a shop, and to convert into three flats (presumably for upstairs). In 2016 there was an application to change from retail to café. It was The Edge, a Mexican-themed restaurant, and is now Cumbia’s restaurant, with Latin American food.
22-26 Norman Road. Concrete, built in the 1930s. Extended to the west, 1950s/60s. From 1964 Midland Bank, from 1992 absorbed into HSBC, having moved from 14 Grand Parade [so says HSLO, 2 June 2000, on 75th anniversary]. Closed about 2008 ? In 2015 a planning application by Oslo Estates for Change of use of part ground floor and first floor from offices into flats was refused. In 2019 a planning application to change to a hotel, using caravans as indoor accommodation. Withdrawn by applicant, Sleeper Hotel Limited. Now Heist’s, with several kitchens cooking for customers in mainly shared seating.
2 and 4 Sedlescombe Road North. At the apex where Battle Road joins Sedlescombe Road North. In 1921, 1939 and 1960, nos. 2-6 was a draper’s. In 1974 Barclays was at nos. 2-4. Closed about 1996. In 1997, application to provide food and drink; in 2007, upper floors to be residential. Estate agency, there in 1974. A few years ago became Knight’s, accountants.
19 Sedlescombe Road North. At the Chatham Road corner. Midland Bank, opened 1938. Not sure when closed, but in 2001 a successful planning application to make it into a takeaway. Now a charity shop for the blind.
A very good account. I moved to St. Leonards in 1975 and recall quite a few of the banks mentioned. Thank goodness the London Road Post Office provides banking services today.