York County Savings Bank

 

Address: 18 Blake Street, YO1 8QG (now above Blake & Butler hairdresser)

 

Description

On Blake Street and St. Helen’s Square, ghost signs of the York County Savings Bank still echo its legacy.

 

Remnants of an attached metal sign hover above Blake & Butler hairdresser, while ‘Savings Bank’ in golden letters adorns the top of the Impossible building on 3 St. Helen’s Square.

 

History

The York County Savings Bank, once the third largest savings bank in England, has a rich history rooted in York.

 

Established in 1816, the bank took a significant step in 1829 when it purchased a large timber-framed house on St Helen’s Square from R. Cattle.

 

 

Under the architectural guidance of Watson, Pritchett, and Watson, a new headquarters was constructed on the site and completed in March 1830 at a cost of £4,691.

 

Throughout the 20th century, the building underwent several modifications: the doors were repositioned, and the internal ground floor layout was altered in the early 1900s.

 

 

It saw further expansion in 1924 with an extension to the northwest along Blake Street.

 

By 1976, the bank transitioned into part of the Trustee Savings Bank (TSB) network.

 

Further alterations were made in 1991 as the banking landscape continued to evolve; TSB merged into Lloyds TSB, eventually becoming independent again before finally vacating the building in 2015.

 

 

In 2022, the historical building began a new chapter as the Impossible Hotel and Bar.

 

Recognised for its architectural significance, it was designated a Grade II listed building in 1968, ensuring its preservation and continued relevance in York’s urban landscape.

 

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