National Westminster Bank

This is a bank, built around 1861, with alterations in the 20th century. It's constructed from ashlar sandstone with moulded ashlar dressings, and a Welsh slated roof hidden behind a balustraded parapet. The building is tall, two-storied, and in a bold neo-Classical style, situated on a street corner.

The east elevation, facing King William Street, has three bays: 1-1-1. The north elevation, facing New Market Street, has six bays: 1-5-1, linked by an angled corner bay. The bays are defined at ground floor level by banded pilasters, and at first floor level by pilasters with volute capitals. A bracketed frieze and cornice support the parapet balustrade.

The east elevation’s main entrance is at the south end, defined by a pediment on moulded ashlar brackets, set into banded jambs. A semi-circular fanlight sits above a pair of tall, five-panel doors. To the right is a tripartite window with mullions. Further right is an undivided window opening, and then a tripartite curved corner window. All window heads are concealed behind a modern plastic fascia. First floor windows have segmental pediments on bays 1 and 3, and a small closed pediment above a lugged architrave in the centre bay. The corner window has a cantilevered balcony and balustrade.

The west elevation has six undivided ground floor windows, five grouped between banded pilasters defining the outer bays. A secondary doorway has two-panel doors and a transomed overlight. The central five first floor windows have closed pediment heads, while the outer openings have segmental pediments.

The interior has been remodelled at banking hall level, but retains original features, including the entrance lobby with a vaulted ceiling and decorative plasterwork. An elaborate inner doorway has panelled and glazed double doors. A lantern lights the inner banking hall, through a shallow arched ceiling panel with transverse glazing bars, decorative ribbing and etched glass panes. The interior also features decorative plaster friezes. The inner hall opens to an outer area through an opening supported by tall, tapered columns with volute capitals. The outer area’s ceiling consists of four shallow arched panels, resembling those found in 19th-century textile mills. A dog-leg staircase, featuring scrolled metal balustrading, a moulded timber handrail, newel post and decorative plasterwork, is accessed via a secondary entrance.

This bank is a well-composed example of mid-19th century commercial architecture, with minimal external alterations and notable original interior elements. It occupies a prominent corner site in Blackburn, contributing to the area’s civic and commercial character.