Bank House

LAUNCESTON

SX3284 EXETER STREET 660-1/4/60 (North side) No.9 Bank House

GV II

Savings bank, now house. 1857 by Henry Crisp, builder William Burt, for Launceston Savings Bank. Stucco on rubble with granite plinth, sills and sill brackets, parapet with moulded cornice; hipped dry slate roof with 2-stage stuccoed end stacks with moulded cornices. Double-depth U-shaped plan plan with lean-to stair projection to rear right-hand angle, recessed central entrance bay. C20 windows within moulded architraves with tall keyblocks; tripartite central doorway with side-lights all with moulded round arches springing from stepped corbels; keyblocks to lights, 3 consoles over doorway linked to moulded mid-floor string; pair of 2-panel doors and plain fanlight. Rear has 5 original hornless sashes with glazing bars. INTERIOR: original features include dog-leg open-string staircase with turned balusters, moulded ceiling cornices, slate chimney-pieces and 6-panel doors. Entrance/stair hall later subdivided and doorway on left of entrance hall through former fireplace. HISTORY: Bank house was the 1st purpose-built premises for the Launceston Saving Bank which started on 28th January 1818, one of the 1st of its kind in England. In 1865 some rooms, rented by Fleetwood Kempson (solicitor) were used as reading rooms and a club later known as the Tamar Club. (Kelly's Directory: Directory of Cornwall: 1902-: 169).

Listing NGR: SX3336584584