43 Lower Hillgate

Former Savings Bank, 43 Lower Hillgate, Stockport

Built in 1912–13 to designs by architect Peter Pierce, this former Savings Bank is constructed of Portland limestone, brick, and granite, with a Welsh slate roof and stone stacks.

The symmetrical Baroque Revival front elevation is articulated into three bays and clad entirely in Portland limestone. A high granite plinth supports the composition, with moulded string courses and a frieze bearing the inscription "FOUNDED / SAVINGS BANK / A.D.1824" cut in raised lettering. The design is crowned by a dentil cornice, balustraded parapet, and central pediment richly carved with a shield and foliate relief work. The central bay and corner pilasters project slightly and are finished with banded rustication.

The central doorway is set within a semi-circular surround with giant moulded keystone and contains double panelled doors with a glazed fanlight above. On either side is a semi-circular headed window with moulded arch and giant moulded keystone. Each window contains a single etched pane with geometric fret and stylised foliate design, with three panes above the imposts, and is protected by decorative iron railings. The first floor contains three sash windows with small-pane top lights set in shouldered architraves: the central window has a segmental head and is flanked by paired engaged Ionic columns; the outer two have flat heads. All first-floor windows are decorated with relief carved festoon aprons.

The interior retains its original layout across three floors. The ground floor comprises a banking hall, manager's office, and walk-in safe, with a board room on the first floor and staff rooms in the basement.

The banking hall features a coffered ceiling with modillion cornices and an inserted skylight. A frieze containing rich relief plasterwork of shields, foliage, and festoon wreaths runs around the space, supported by fluted Ionic pilasters. The walls are half-panelled. A timber and glazed lobby at the entrance has circular and festoon etched lower panes. A shallow five-light bay window projects from the rear. The floor displays geometric mosaic work to the front and south side, with the main central space now carpeted.

The manager's office occupies the south-rear, separated from the banking hall by a large five-by-three borrowed-light window with festoon-etched lower lights. The office contains a moulded cornice and original built-in cupboard with double panelled doors; the fireplace has been removed, and a later wooden cupboard now stands beside the chimney breast. A panelled door provides access to a water closet.

A segmental-arched opening on the south side of the banking hall, fitted with a decorative ironwork grille incorporating a roundel embossed "SBS", leads to a lobby containing a walk-in Chatwood safe. An original panelled door from the banking hall opens into the stair hall, which features mosaic flooring and tiled dado now painted blue. A wooden dog-leg staircase with square moulded balusters, moulded handrail, and newel posts with finials rises through the building; the ground-floor newel post is set diagonally and incorporates an Ionic capital. A tall semi-circular headed window on the stair landing contains symmetrical coloured and textured glass with shield, festoons, and swag motifs. A panelled cupboard sits on the landing.

The first-floor board room retains its original panelled door. The canted ceiling is supported by two arched braces rising from stone corbels and is fitted with ventilators. The room has a panelled dado and parquet flooring. A painted stone chimneypiece with panelled hood occupies the centre of the north wall. The basement contains water closets and staff rooms, which have been altered.

The building was erected in 1912–13 to replace the previous Savings Bank on the same site, which was demolished in 1911. The Stockport Savings Bank had originated in 1824 at Turner's Buildings, Little Underbank, and later relocated to Lower Hillgate. The bank opened in 1913 and subsequently became a branch of Lloyds TSB before closing in the 1980s.