Martins bank is one of the most imposing buildings in Liverpool’s former financial district.
Situated along Castle Street and down Water Street, Liverpool was home to one of the biggest financial centres outside of London. The area is littered with characterful and striking buildings that once served as a range of banks and building societies - including one of only three branches of the Bank of England.
One of these is Martins Bank, situated on Water Street next to the Town Hall. The building was designed by Herbert James Rowse and opened as the head office of the now defunct Martins Bank in 1932. Perhaps the most significant part of the building’s history is when the majority of Britain's gold reserves was moved to the bank's vault during the Second World War.
