Huddersfield Lloyds’ staff celebrate bank’s 250th anniversary
STAFF at Lloyds Bank in Huddersfield celebrated the bank’s 250th anniversary by going back in time.
Customers at the Westgate branch were greeted by bank workers in costumes reflecting fashions through the years and enjoyed cakes and scones with jam and cream baked by staff.
Donations by customers raised more than £200 for the bank’s current charity partner Children in Need. A display board charting the history of the bank was also on show.
Lloyds Banking Group began in 1765 as Taylors & Lloyds in Birmingham. For the first 100 years, it operated from just one office in the city, but in the 1860s it embarked on a period of rapid expansion and growth.
By the time of its merger with TSB in 1995, it had absorbed more than 200 banks. They included the West Yorkshire Bank, which was formed as the Halifax Joint Stock Banking Company in 1829 and became the West Yorkshire in 1911 when it acquired long-time rival, the Halifax & Huddersfield Union Banking Company, which had been formed in 1836. West Yorkshire Bank was bought by Lloyds in 1919.
James Green, manager at the Westgate branch, said the building – which is itself more than 200 years old – had gone through a lot of remodelling over the years. Most recently, more self-service points have been installed along with the traditional cashier service.
“It is a lovely building and it still retains a lot of character,” said Mr Green. “I would like to thank all the staff who have contributed to the bank over the years and the customers who contribute to our fundraising. Lloyds Bank raised £6m for the Alzheimer’s Society over the past two years and we have already raised £1m for Children in Need this year.”