Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank is a bank building dating from 1836 to 1845, designed by George Webster. It was begun in 1836 and opened in 1838, with a clock tower and actuary's house extension in 1844. The ground floor interior was altered in 1950, and the tower stage below the dome was rebuilt in 1956.

The building is constructed of limestone blocks, with a rock-faced finish to the ground floor and ashlar above, all topped with a slate roof. It is two storeys high. The main facade, facing Union Street, is symmetrical, featuring three bays with a projecting central bay that is topped with a pediment. The ground floor windows have steel casements in recessed surrounds, with panelled aprons. The first-floor windows are glazing-bar sashes with round heads and panelled aprons. The central first-floor window has two narrow round-arched lights with pilaster reveals. A porch has two unfluted Greek Doric columns in antis. A frieze is inscribed with 'BANK FOR SAVINGS'. Cast-iron railings with anthemion and pendant decoration run above the cornice.

The return wall facing Market Street is largely blind, although a central bay projects forward under a pediment. A first-floor window, similar to the central window on the other facade, is set within this projection. To the left of this facade is the lower actuary's house, which is rendered with limestone dressings and two storeys high. The first-floor windows are glazing-bar sashes with plain reveals. A cash dispenser occupies the right-hand bay of the ground floor, while the left-hand bay contains a doorway with a plain limestone surround, a round-arched head with moulded imposts, and a six-panel door. Three stone steps lead to the doorway, with cast-iron railings alongside.

A tower rises behind the main block, featuring two stages and a dome above the main eaves. The lower stage is of limestone ashlar with a round arched window. Above this is a rendered bell stage with a round-arched opening flanked by pilasters; this formerly had two openings. Above the bell stage is a pediment and a clock face, supported by scrolled brackets inscribed ‘1845’. The tower is capped by a lead-covered onion dome with a finial and weather vane.

The interior, which was not fully inspected, features a banking hall with inserted partitions and suspended ceilings.