Old Barclays Bank Building in Padiham

Built in 1893 by William Dent of Nelson the Branch bank in Padiham with chambers above for the Craven Bank.

Sandstone ashlar and polished pink granite with green slate roof construction. The building occupies a triangular site between 2 roads towards top of a sloping site, with a circular staircase tower with conical roof to emphasise corner.

Built in a Free Italianate style with 2 storeys and 5 bays articulated by entablatures and by pilasters with, on the ground floor, chamfered rustication and pediments above the entablature and, on first floor, reeding beneath sunk panels. Windows - double in most bays - have square heads and, on ground floor, granite surrounds. Overall is a balustrade in which most dies carry cartouches. Upper two storeys of stair-tower have engaged granite columns with Corinthian capitals between windows with semi-circular heads. Doorcase has rusticated pilasters, carved consoles supporting entablature and pediment, and tympanum richly decorated with a medley of Renaissance motifs. Interior: Banking hall has panelled dado around walls and beneath counter, mosaic floor with border of arabesques, and original windows painted with arabesques and initials CBLD.

A fine piece of late Victorian street architecture.

Created: 27  May  2021  Edited: 29  November  2023