LISTED BUILDING · NHLE 1255406
The Old Penny Bank
The Old Penny Bank, Leominster
Penny bank of about 1870, now offices, with a C20-raised roof. Its T-shaped brick range retains paired casements, open porches and characteristic arched entrances. It is a rare survivor of an early working-class savings institution.
Dates and uses reflect the source records and may not describe the building today.
Designation information
Inclusion in the National Heritage List for England confirms that this is a designated heritage asset of national special architectural or historic interest.
Architectural evidence and features
These descriptions relate to particular parts of the building at the date of each source. They may not reflect its use or condition today. Unconfirmed features remain open questions.
Evidence reviewed 13 September 2026.
Documented type / function
- Penny bank
Listed subject
As described in NHLE; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
Use at source date
- Offices
Listed subject
NHLE description; not verified current in 2026
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
A historical or reported description; the detail has not been independently confirmed.
External wall material
- Brick
Principal building
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
Roof covering
- Welsh slate
Hipped roof
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
Chimneys
- Brick
Central ridge stack
20th century altered
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
Other materials / details
- Stucco
Architraves and returned-side panels
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
Architectural features
- Hipped roof
Principal building
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
- T-shaped plan
Principal building
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
- Casement windows
Front and returned elevations
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
- Elliptical window heads; Architraves; Pilasters
Front windows
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
- Corbelled eaves
Main building
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
- Porches; Gauged brick flat arches
Entrances in angles of wings
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
- Cornice
Entrance porches
NHLE described condition; observation date unspecified
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1255406
Applies to the named part of the building at the date of the source.
Research notes and uncertainties
c1870; roof raised 20th century Documented principal date and expressly identified fabric phases. Correct raw Date not recorded. Reject 21st-century fabric tag from 16 January 2023 NHLE minor amendment.
Surface cabling or services alarm/light and down-face cables. No inferred dampness or structural defect from staining. No method, cause, severity or continuing condition is inferred.
Explore records with these reviewed features. Results may concern only part of a listed group and retain their source-date qualifications.
How this record is evidenced
The designation, listing date and statutory description are drawn from Historic England, NHLE 1255406.
Current survey photographs dated 25 July 2026 record the publicly visible fabric and features shown on this page.
The concise summary and searchable feature tags have been prepared by Leominster Heritage and are kept separate from the statutory wording.
The open questions below identify evidence that has not yet been securely established.
Map location
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The Old Penny Bank
Grade II · c1870; roof raised C20 · This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 16 January 2023 to update the name and address and reformat the text to current standards SO4959 808-1/1/81 LEOMINSTER BURGESS STREET (South side) The Old Penny Bank (Formerly listed as Premises occupied by Powell, Price & Co. Ltd., previously Listed as: BURGESS STREET (South side) Powell, Price and Co. Ltd. Insurance Brokers) 14/08/86 GV II Penny bank, now offices. c1870, roof raised C20. Brick; hipped Welsh slate roof with shallow pitches; C20 altered central brick ridge stack, with mouldings to corbelled band. T-shaped on plan. Single storey; two-window range: paired two-light casements with elliptical heads under moulded stucco architraves on pilasters; flanked by brick corner-pilasters with corbelled eaves. Returned sides: C20 casements in stucco panels. Entrances in angles of wings: six-panel doors under gauged brick flat arches, in open porches with single arches to front and paired arches to sides, and cornice over. Gables of wings have twin two-light casements, with bands and C20 two-light casements, over; corner pilasters. INTERIOR not inspected. A rare survivor of the Penny Bank, among the earliest of working class savings institutions.
Penny bank of about 1870, now offices, with a C20-raised roof. Its T-shaped brick range retains paired casements, open porches and characteristic arched entrances. It is a rare survivor of an early working-class savings institution.
Current survey photographs
Documentary evidence
Historic England
Official list description
Original NHLE location reference
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 16 January 2023 to update the name and address and reformat the text to current standards SO4959 808-1/1/81 LEOMINSTER BURGESS STREET (South side) The Old Penny Bank (Formerly listed as Premises occupied by Powell, Price & Co. Ltd., previously Listed as: BURGESS STREET (South side) Powell, Price and Co. Ltd. Insurance Brokers) 14/08/86 GV II Penny bank, now offices. c1870, roof raised C20. Brick; hipped Welsh slate roof with shallow pitches; C20 altered central brick ridge stack, with mouldings to corbelled band. T-shaped on plan. Single storey; two-window range: paired two-light casements with elliptical heads under moulded stucco architraves on pilasters; flanked by brick corner-pilasters with corbelled eaves. Returned sides: C20 casements in stucco panels. Entrances in angles of wings: six-panel doors under gauged brick flat arches, in open porches with single arches to front and paired arches to sides, and cornice over. Gables of wings have twin two-light casements, with bands and C20 two-light casements, over; corner pilasters. INTERIOR not inspected. A rare survivor of the Penny Bank, among the earliest of working class savings institutions.
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 16 January 2023 to update the name and address and reformat the text to current standards SO4959 808-1/1/81 LEOMINSTER BURGESS STREET (South side) The Old Penny Bank (Formerly listed as Premises occupied by Powell, Price & Co. Ltd., previously Listed as: BURGESS STREET (South side) Powell, Price and Co. Ltd. Insurance Brokers) 14/08/86 GV II Penny bank, now offices. c1870, roof raised C20. Brick; hipped Welsh slate roof with shallow pitches; C20 altered central brick ridge stack, with mouldings to corbelled band. T-shaped on plan. Single storey; two-window range: paired two-light casements with elliptical heads under moulded stucco architraves on pilasters; flanked by brick corner-pilasters with corbelled eaves. Returned sides: C20 casements in stucco panels. Entrances in angles of wings: six-panel doors under gauged brick flat arches, in open porches with single arches to front and paired arches to sides, and cornice over. Gables of wings have twin two-light casements, with bands and C20 two-light casements, over; corner pilasters. INTERIOR not inspected. A rare survivor of the Penny Bank, among the earliest of working class savings institutions. Listing NGR: SO4949259083
Sources and further reading
Open questions
- What evidence can establish the sequence and date of the building’s principal alterations?
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