These pictures were taken in June 2014 using a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera, they show the head office of the Halifax Bank on Trinity Road and it's predecessor on Commercial Street.
Until 2022 this building the former head office of the then Halifax Building Society was still trading as a branch of the now Halifax Bank. Despite it's historical importance the branch was closed and now awaits a plan for the future.
The building was built by Alexander Scott in 1903 for his drapery business and became the head office of the Halifax Permanent Building Society in March 1921. The buildings were known as York Buildings and could be found on Commercial Street. The building became headquarters to the newly created Halifax Building Society in January 1928 after the mergers of the Halifax Equitable Society, Halifax Permanent Building Society (1853) and the Halifax Permanent Building Society (1900).
In the late 1960's the Halifax purchased the former Ramsden's Stone Trough Brewery at Ward's End and work commenced on building a new head office for the building society. This was opened by HM Queen Elizabeth II on the 13th November 1974.
The paths and patio areas around the offices used to feature ornamental fountains and gardens as I recall, these have long since been removed which is a shame. Many people in Halifax do not like the award winning design of the building, thinking it too large, overpowering and not in keeping with the town's Victorian heritage. My only concern is for the future, what will happen when Lloyds decide the the building is no longer needed or is too far away from the banking action of London or Edinburgh, I can't imagine what would happen to the site in that circumstance.
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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.
