National Westminster Bank

The National Westminster Bank is a bank building constructed between 1896 and 1900. It features an ashlar facade with a rusticated ground floor and brick at the rear banking hall. The building is three storeys tall and designed in a palazzo style. The entrance is located to the left of the center, with paired heavy panelled wood doors flanked by two and four windows, all of which are recessed between rusticated pilasters. The first storey is arcaded and supported by Corinthian engaged pilasters, which carry an entablature with a modillion cornice. The round arched windows have moulded keystones and rosettes in the frieze above. The second-floor windows are separated by pilasters that alternate between being panelled and scrolled, and they feature shallow segmental stressed architraves. A segmental pediment with a modillion cornice spans the central two bays, topped by a coat of arms flanked by figures. The building has a balustraded parapet on either side, divided by solid panelled pilasters with urn finials at the corners, and a curved corner to the right with a four-window return.

Inside, the original features are remarkably well preserved, including the vestibule and the main banking hall, which boasts marble wall panelling, rich joinery and plasterwork, fireplaces, and stained glass in the domed lantern of the top-lit banking hall. This bank was built on the site of the former Bank of Bolton, which merged with the County Bank in 1896.