The newly refurbished and restored building of the former Preston Savings Bank which is now Lloyds No.1 ‘The Twelve Tellers’

Part of the beautifully restored interior

The Twelve Tellers on Church Street, formerly the Preston Savings Bank built in 1905 and a grade 2 listed building, is the latest acquisition of JD Wetherspoon/Lloyds No1 Bar company and looks set to become a very popular addition to the area. The Blog Preston team went along on Tuesday 20 December to meet with pub manager Darran Jacklin who has been with the company for twelve years. Darran said to us, “it is a great opportunity for Lloyds No.1 Bar, as this is the first one to be opened  in many years”. The Duty Manager Gemma Dawson, who has been with the company for five years, said, “I came to Preston to look round the old building before the work started and I still can’t believe what a fantastic job the workmen have done.” It was in a pretty bad way after being empty for so long”. Shift Leader Becky Walker said, “it is a wonderful place to work, I think the pub building work is absolutely awesome!”.

Pub Manager Darran Jacklin and Duty Manager Gemma Dawson

Shift Leader Becky Walker welcomes visitors to The Twelve Tellers

The restoration work has been carried out with great sensitivity to the original internal architecture and very imaginative decor has enhanced the early 20th century feel to the place. Many of the early features have been retained, including the exquisite ceilings and parts of the old bank counter furniture along with two marble security gates remaining in their original positions.
The whole area of the former bank has been used in its entirety making good use of the floor space. Even the old vaults have been transformed into small and discrete dinning areas with subtle lighting and decor with only the steel doors being removed to keep the authenticity of the surroundings.

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A brief history of the site of The Twelve Tellers.

The image below shows a scene in 1905 of a mayoral inauguration day in Church Street, adjacent to the site of the new Preston Savings Bank. It can be observed that the main door arch has recently been built and the foundation stone would have been laid a month earlier. Recently demolished was the Pedder, Fleetwood and Co. old bank which had been in existence for many years beforehand. Previously to that the premises had been a bank owned by Atherton and Greaves and even earlier had been a private house occupied by a Mr Eyre around 1715.

Site of the soon to be built Preston Savings Bank on Church Street, Preston. Sunday November 12th 1905
His Worship the Mayor Alderman John Ormrod (1905-6) Inauguration Day.
John Ormrod succeeded Mayor William McKune Margerison.
Procession seen entering the Parish Church.
Pic: Preston Digital Archive

Empire Theatre & Preston Savings Bank, Church Street c.1908
The Preston Savings Bank had only been open a couple of years earlier at this time and would have been in pristine condition as it is now in 2015 Pic: Preston Digital Archive

Preston Savings Bank interior c.1920
Notice the twelve tellers behind the counter and the position of one of the security gates on the right side of the counter. The upper part of the vault door can also be seen just above the rear screen in the centre of the image Pic: Preston Digital Archive

One of the original features from the front of the counter of the former bank which can be seen in the image immediately above

An absolutely delicious traditional breakfast as served every day. There is always a full menu of food to suit all manner of tastes along with a fantastic selection of beers, wines and spirits as well as the usual beverages

The Twelve Tellers pub/restaurant will be music free throughout the day until 5.00 pm when ambient background music will be played. Wednesdays from 8.00 pm will be students night and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 9.00 pm a transformation takes place, fabulous lighting and some great funky music will be provided by DJ Mark Wood from St. Helens to create a club type atmosphere for a good night out.

Apart from the salubrious and spacious pub drinking and dining interior there is also a large split level external patio area to the rear of the building affording the opportunity to customers to take in a breath of fresh air and in the warmer weather it will be fantastic to eat and drink alfresco. There are smoking and non-smoking areas.

The Twelve Tellers will be officially opened on Thursday morning at 9.00 am 22 January 2015 by the final serving bank manager of the former TSB and the man who worked alongside him being the person to finally lock the doors of the bank when they vacated the premises. Also appearing will be Scott Fitzgerald, a Preston boxer and gold medal winner at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

For further details of events etc. please access The Twelve Tellers Facebook page.

Review and photography by Paul Swarbrick and Gill Lawson.

Will you be going to The Twelve Tellers official opening or have you already been? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.