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!”.
AdvertisementThe 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.
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.
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.