Building society’s many moves in town

Ashford has certainly had its fair share of financial institutions over the decades. Banks and building societies have graced streets in the town centre for generations and until modernity took over they were a one stop shop for our finances.

Some institutions have faded into oblivion, often when taken over by another firm, but others have taken root in the town and even outgrown their premises and moved along the street or around the corner.

One such financial giant that has continued to invest in the town is the Nationwide Building Society.

From earlier guises such as the Ashford Mutual Building Society and the Hastings and Thanet Building Society, the Nationwide continues to blossom.

Over time, the company has had branches in Bank Street and the lower and upper High Street.

And after several years at number 75 High Street – which had previously been the home of the much-missed seedsman and garden requisites store Worger’s – Nationwide has just moved into newly refurbished and modern premises further along the street at number 93 High Street, in a prime position at the entrance of County Square and in premises previously occupied by Clarks shoes.

The new branch opened its doors early last month.

This week Remember When looks back at a trio of images showing the building society’s longstanding existence and early days in the town.

Many thanks to Liz CliftonPage of Nationwide Building Society’s Historical Archives for her kind help in sourcing some of the images.

Do you have you any photographs or slides that you would be willing to lend me, to be scanned and featured in the Kentish Express? Write to me: Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre, Ashford TN24 8RY, email me at rememberwhen_kmash@ hotmail.co.uk, or find me on Twitter @SteveKMAshford. Or you can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232. Please supply a return address for the return of originals.