Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank is a bank building dating from 1890-91, designed by R.J. Johnson for Hodgkin, Barnet, Pease, Spence and Co. It is constructed of sandstone ashlar with a pink granite plinth and doorcase. The roof is not visible. The building is three storeys with nine bays, flanked by set-back wings of two storeys and one bay, with a four-storey, three-bay right extension. The design is classical in style. The ground floor has steps leading to a central double door within an architrave, set within a doorcase of rusticated, fluted pilasters. The doorcase includes a frieze with triglyphs and paterae, and a carved tympanum set within a segmental pediment. The recessed ground-floor windows are topped with high keystones, voussoirs, and rusticated jambs, and feature a sill band and overhanging apron. A Greek key frieze sits above, followed by a dentilled cornice. The tall first-floor windows have Gibbs surrounds and alternate pediments; architraves define the second-floor windows, with all windows being sashes with glazing bars. A top entablature includes a swag frieze and modillions. A roof balustrade features ball finials and high urns at the ends. Ashlar-corniced brick chimneys are tall. The lower, set-back bays are in a similar style. The right extension mimics the main block, with two windows on the ground floor and three plain sash windows on each floor above, all finished with a top pediment containing an oculus.