16 to 18 Sunderland Street

Stone properties, façade painted white. Built as a bank - a branch of the North Eastern Banking Company - in the mid 19th century. Mr Harry Shepherd Allison was the bank manager from 1881 to 1908. He lived above the bank (Bank House) with his first wife Jennie Bailey and later his second wife Edith Bell. By 1908 the bank had been taken over by Martins Bank Ltd. In 1909 Thomas C Jacques lived at Bank House. Between 1911 and 1914 Joseph Charles Kennedy was the bank manager. Between 1916 and 1920 the façade was heightened and altered. In 1938 H Walker was the manager of Martins Bank. From 1952 to 1965 E Blythe was the manager. Mr JW Bellerby took over. Later it may have become a branch of Barclays Bank. The bank closed in the 1970s. The bank's vault is still there accessed via a winding stone staircase and heavy iron door. In 1979 the premises became a DIY shop. In 1983 it became Strikes Wine Bar. Later it was Heaven 17 Wine Bar. By 1996 it was Flynns Wine Bar. Later names were Kelly's Bar and Jak's Bar. In 2006 the Ivy Nightclub opened on the first floor. In 2008 it became the Old Bank public house, but this business closed in October 2009. A hairdressers shop (the Cutting Lounge) moved in in August 2011. Sunderland Street was formerly a long vibrant shopping street, with various shops including Palister's Drapery. When the road was truncated by the A690 works, a large number of buildings were demolished and the character of the street was altered. Once an integral part of the core of the town, Sunderland Street is now more peripheral in character and function. Broadway House (Government Offices), Frederick Place and Buffs Club have spoilt this street.