This branch of
the Royal Bank of Scotland features a number
of clues to its past. In gold lettering
up high on the building it says "SCOTTISH
UNION & NATIONAL 1824
INSURANCE COMPANY".
Just below is a female figure within an oval
plaque with the inscription "Fire Life"
the symbol of the Fire & Life Insurance
Company"
The sculptures, including this one of
Wisdom, are by Thewlis & Co.
The building is Grade II Listed and described
as, "... White matt-glazed faience,
('Marmo') made by the Leeds Fireclay
Company at Burmantofts, slate roof,
cast-iron balconies and other fittings. 3
storeys on left; 4 storeys and attic on
right, 4 bays, curved corner bays, 5 bays
to returns, South Parade (north) and
Bedford Street (south). Rusticated ground
floor and pilasters centre and flanking
corners which rise to deep 3rd-floor
cornice on left and to pedimented parapet
right. Tall segmental-arched doorways and
windows on ground floor, flat-arched
windows decrease in depth on upper
storeys. Decorative details include:
1st-floor balconies, moulded plaques with
figures below 2nd-floor windows, oval
plaques with female figures."
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