Category Archives: Commerce

Barclays Bank, Fair Green

The Barclays Bank that opened at 6 Fair Green Parade was a sub-branch of the branch on the corner of 342 London Road and Lower Green West.

It possibly opened in 1958 as the telephone directory of that year lists the number as MITcham 7730. Fair Green Parade was built around 1953.

6 Fair Green Parade. Photo courtesy of Barclays Group Archives

6 Fair Green Parade. Photo courtesy of Barclays Group Archives

Interior of 6 Fair Green Parade. Courtesy of Barclays Group Archives.

Interior of 6 Fair Green Parade. Photo courtesy of Barclays Group Archives.

This branch moved in 1973 to a new building on the corner of Montrose Gardens, see newspaper article below. It became part of the Barclays Wimbledon Group of Branches in March 1994.

The branch is due to close in October 2021.

29/31 Upper Green East. Photo courtesy of Barclays Group Archives

29/31 Upper Green East. Photo courtesy of Barclays Group Archives

39/41 Upper Green East. Photo courtesy of Barclays Group Archives

39/41 Upper Green East. Photo courtesy of Barclays Group Archives

BANK’S NEW OFFICES TO OPEN SOON

STAFF at Mitcham’s branch of Barclays Bank are soon to move into their new offices at Upper Green East.

And, promises manager Mr James Crocker, banking will be a lot pleasanter for both customers and staff than at the present cramped quarters in Fair Green-parade.

“We are hoping to move some time in mid-April and the new building on the other side of Fair Green will be much bigger, with six tills and a carpeted banking hall.” he said.

There will be an upstairs rest room and more toilet facilities for the staff.

The branch was a sub branch of the Barclays branch at Cricket Green when it opened several years ago.

“It was decided to make it a full branch as business has expanded a great deal in Mitcham,” said Mr Crocket. “Also we have to consider that a new supermarket is opening and probably more shops with the new central redevelopment.”

The staff of eleven at the present branch were working in very cramped conditions he added. “Now, with so much more room we will be having more staff.”

Source: Mitcham & Collier’s wood Gazette, 31st January 1973

Barclays Bank, Cricket Green

Branch of Barclays Bank that was at 342-344 London Road, on the corner with Lower Green West.

342 London Road. 1963 photo courtesy of Barclays Group Archives

342 London Road. Photo courtesy of Barclays Group Archives

According to Eric Montague, in his book Mitcham Histories: 5 Lower Green West, page 114:

Completely out of keeping with the surrounding buildings, but obviously conceived in the confident belief that eventually this corner of Mitcham would become the commercial centre of the developing town, the three-storeyed Barclays Bank building … was the first purpose-built bank in the village. It dates from the early years of the 20th century, when the houses on Bryant’s Corner were pulled down and within a few years the bank was extended along the London Road frontage

This clip from a Tom Francis photo shows the building before this expansion along the London Road. It shows that there were two windows with arches along the London Road, the main entrance on the corner, and three similar windows along Lower Green West, and another entrance.

Clip from Tom Francis photo on Merton Memories, photo reference Mit_​TomFrancis_​Ln184

In his notes that accompanied this photo, Tom Francis said that when Lloyds and Westminster banks opened branches in the Fair Green, Barclays was compelled to open a branch there as well. Montague said that this branch was kept until the late 1980s.