150 years of keeping customers' cash safe

STAFF at one of Bristol's longest continually-serving bank branches are celebrating 150 years since the first customers handed over their cash for safekeeping.

The branch of NatWest bank in The Mall in Clifton first opened in 1862.

On January 18 the directors of what was then the National Provincial Bank of England resolved to open a branch immediately after they were approached by a committee of Clifton residents.

Records in the local newspaper show the new branch opened under the management of Frederick Howard just 11 days later, on January 29, at 174 Mall Buildings next door to the Clifton Club.

At the time Clifton was flourishing, and had seen its population soar over the previous 50 years from 4,500 to 17,000.

Then a town, Clifton boasted a number of elegant and fashionable residential streets, including Victoria Square and Caledonia Place.

The National Provincial branch was the only bank in Clifton until 1878, when Bristol Old Bank opened a branch almost directly opposite in Caledonia Place.

During World War I a number of the bank's staff left to serve their country, and two were killed during active service.

In 1918 National Provincial merged with Union of London & Smiths Bank, which had bought Bristol Old Bank in 1903, and the new bank's two premises were extended in the subsequent years.

In 1970 National Westminster Bank was formed through the merger of National Provincial Bank with Westminster Bank, which itself had two branches in Clifton. In 1978 the business of the former Westminster Bank office in Regent Street was transferred to the premises Caledonia Place, from which The Mall branch continues to operate today.

As part of the celebrations, which will run until Friday, staff have decorated the branch and created a display of old photos, street plans and branch ledgers.

Branch manager Craig Taylor said: "We are delighted to be celebrating the fact that NatWest has been operating a banking service in this part of Bristol for 150 years. We are proud of our close association with the area and look forward to celebrating this occasion with our customers, as well as continuing to provide a high quality service to the local community."