TSB Bank, 9 West Street, Bridport

Image: © Jo and Steve Turner Taken: 25 Aug 2021

Grade II Listed mid 19th century bank. It is interesting that R & H Williams is inscribed over the door as R & R Williams, Thornton, Sykes & Co., established 1786 in Dorchester, was taken over by the Wilts & Dorset Banking Company in 1897 who were taken over by Lloyds in 1914. In 1995 Lloyds merged with the Trustee Savings Bank and traded as Lloyds TSB Bank plc between 1999 and 2013. From directories, 1842-1844 the only bank on West Street is Williams, Cox & Co. (draw on Williams, Deacon & Co. London) but in 1851 Robert & Herbert Williams, also drawing on Williams, Deacon & Co. By 1855 it is listed as Dorchester Old Bank (branch), Robert & Herbert Williams but in 1889 Dorchester Old Bank & Dorsetshire Bank (R & R Williams & Co.) In 1911 not surprisingly it is listed as Wilts & Dorset and in 1915 Lloyds Bank Limited (Wilts & Dorset Bank branch). The banks Lloyds' archive have listed is R & R Williams and Wilts & Dorset, no R & H. If R & R was established in 1786 why is it not mentioned until 1889? Did R & R take over R & H 1855-1889? However this all suggests that 9 West Street was built by R & H between 1844 and 1851. 7 and 11 either side of the bank are of very similar design to each other and I wonder if No.9 is a mid 19th century alteration on what was an 18th century building.

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