39 Welsh Row, Nantwich

The Savings Bank was built in 1846, and cost an estimated £970. Two earlier independent banks had been established in the town, but had proved short-lived, failing in 1816 and 1826. By 20 November 1848, the Savings Bank had 1079 deposits, of which 1064 were private, nine were from charitable societies and six from friendly societies. Savings banks were intended to assist the poor to save money for periods of hardship, and most deposits at that date were relatively modest, with nearly half no more than £20 (around £1,500 today), and only seven above £200 (£15,600 today). The Savings Bank was still at Welsh Row in 1914; however, by 1930 it had amalgamated with the Chester & Wrexham District…

The former bank is a detached single-storey building in Jacobean Revival style, set back from the street behind railings. In red brick under a slate roof, it has decorative blue-brick diapering and stone dressings on the Welsh Row (front) face. The central bay of the front face projects slightly and has a prominent shaped gable, finished with a stone coping and three triangular finials; the gable contains a circular stone moulding, formerly a clock face, and a stone plaque inscribed "Savings Bank erected A.D. MDCCCXLVI". The central bay has a canted bay window surmounted by a stone balustrade with foliage decoration and cross-shaped openings. The flanking bays each have a single window, and…