50 South Street, Dorchester

Image: © Jo and Steve Turner Taken: 23 Aug 2021

Grade II Listed as former National Westminster Bank, 1901 by Sir George Oatley. In the late 1890s, sections of an underground passage were found with flint walls about 2ft high at 47 and 50 South Street, the latter running beneath a Roman mosaic presumably in preparation for building. Although the listing claims it to be a former NatWest bank in 2002 the Dorset Echo carried an interview with Ian Jordan National Westminster South Street branch manager. In the article they state that the branch was opened by Stuckley's in 1882 and Mr Jordan was going to hand out cake to celebrate 120 years of the branch. The branch is currently at 49 South Street, next door to number 50. According to the listings, neither building was built in 1882. That aside, is it likely that the bank would move next door after 100 years or more in one building? It is possible that Stuckley's or Parr's bank occupied a building at No.50, now demolished, and moved to No.49 when the new one was built. In Kelly's 1895 and 1911 directories Stuckley's or Parr's Bank (who merged with Stuckley's) has them at 49. If we go back to 1889 Stuckley's is just listed as South Street. If we go back to Post Office directory of 1875 there is a 'Savings Bank' listed in South Street but no Stuckley's. That suggests to me that Number 49 was in fact built between 1875 and 1895 by Stuckley's (probably 1882 as given in the Echo) and No.50 never was a bank as it is not listed in any directory as a bank as far as I can see (Although in 1915 No.50a was). An internet search throws up, in no particular order, the following occupants of various parts of the building, Jumper Ltd. fashion shop, Whittard of Chelsea coffee and Tea 2009, Char Chars Tea Rooms, Brewin Dolphin Securities stockbrokers, Gerald Duke Solicitors, Audit Commission in 2007-8, Bruised Reed Trust 2004-2008 and The Dorchester Pantry Ltd.

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