Former Preston Bank

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 17 June 2025 to update the Name and Address and reformat the text to current standards

SD3317SE 664-1/12/82

SOUTHPORT LORD STREET (West side) No 331

(Formerly listed as No.331 Midland Bank)

15/11/72

GV II*

Bank. 1888-1889, by EW Johnson, for the Preston Banking Company. Sandstone ashlar with some grey granite and polished pink granite; roof concealed but probably slate. Roman Corinthian style. Basilican form.

EXTERIOR: one tall architectural storey in three bays, in a windowless symmetrical design, with a shallow pedimented portico to the centre; a low base of punch-dressed grey granite, a high panelled plinth (some panels now containing metal safes), giant terminal pilasters and coupled free-standing columns to the portico all of polished pink granite with sandstone capitals, entablature with dentilled frieze and modillioned cornice, pediment containing crest of arms with heavily foliated surround and surmounted by figure of Britannia, and balustraded parapets to the outer bays with gadrooned urns.

The portico contains a tall round-headed doorway in a pedimented architrave with stepped jambs of grey granite, moulded head with cartouche keyblock, carved spandrels, frieze lettered: PRESTON BANK, and dentilled and modillioned pediment with a swag; above this a three-light blind window with carved sill and mullions.

The narrow flanking bays each have a tall richly-carved panel with branches entwining a cartouche with shield of arms (Southport to left, Preston to right).

INTERIOR: large rectangular hall surrounded by Corinthian columns and pilasters of polished granite on panelled pedestals, a prominent dentilled and modillioned cornice, coved ceiling and very large concave brackets with moulded plaster enrichment carrying a large domed rectangular skylight.

Forms group with Nos 315-325 to the left (qv) and Nos 335 & 337 adjoining to the right (qv).

Listing NGR: SD3362017360